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Shipping container full of e-bikes, lithium batteries catches fire in East Village

Seven people who live in a home next to the site of the fire have been displaced

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Firefighters say the fire presented a unique challenge. NBC 7’s Catherine Garcia has the details.

A container carrying electric bicycles and lithium ion batteries was fully engulfed in flames early Thursday, displacing seven people who live in a multi-family structure in East Village.

The fire was reported sometime around 4:45 a.m. near the intersection of 17th and F Streets, according to Battalion Chief Chris Bagler. Crews took about 20 minutes to knock down the flames that engulfed the 25-foot shipping container.

Because the container had exploding batteries inside, a HAZMAT team was requested to look into the toxicity of the area. Bagler said a home next door was evacuated as a result of the fire and seven people were displaced.

No injuries were reported in connection with the blaze.

Due to the response, all lanes that lead to westbound SR-94 at 17th Street were shut down. As of 6:34 a.m., all lanes were reopened.

Details on what led up to the fire were not immediately clear, but Bagler faulted the batteries as the origin for the incident.

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