Illegal Gambling Operation Uncovered During FDNY Fire Safety Investigation
FDNY Investigation Unveils Illegal Gambling Site
During an investigation originally focused on illegal lithium-ion battery charging, the Fire Department of New York’s Bureau of Fire Prevention uncovered what appears to be an unlawful gambling operation. This finding was the result of a thorough inspection conducted following a complaint about unsafe battery practices.
Hazardous Conditions and Illegal Activities Found on Elizabeth Street
Inspectors visited a property on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan, where they encountered multiple hazardous and illegal conditions. Among these were gambling machines, counterfeit goods, unsafe living quarters, and dangerous battery charging setups. The FDNY inspectors found that both the front and rear cellar areas of the buildings had been unlawfully converted into residential spaces without proper authorization.
Further inquiries unveiled an illicit gambling setup featuring slot machines and a storage area filled with imitation designer bags and accessories. Numerous lithium-ion batteries were being charged throughout the improvised cellar living spaces. These batteries have been associated with numerous fatal fires in New York City over recent years, signaling serious risks beyond the initial fire safety concerns.
Emergency Response and Official Actions Taken
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announced that, given the life-threatening hazards discovered, the department sought support from the city’s Department of Buildings and the New York Police Department. As a result, the Department of Buildings issued partial evacuation orders for the cellar spaces of the affected properties, while the NYPD Vice Unit confiscated gambling devices and counterfeit items. The Bureau of Fire Prevention also issued several summonses related to these violations.
Unsafe Living Conditions and Risks to Safety
Officials reported that the cellar hallways had been turned into cramped single-room living units, cluttered with mattresses, hot plates, space heaters, and other items creating hazardous conditions. None of these makeshift rooms provided emergency exits, resulting in a maze-like layout that heightened risks for residents.
The FDNY emphasized that these illegal residential spaces, combined with unsafe battery charging, posed grave threats both to the occupants and to first responders. Commissioner Tucker described these discoveries as identifying a potentially deadly situation, underscoring the critical importance of such inspections in preventing disasters.
