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'My heart goes out': 18 children injured as horrifying fire breaks out at illegal NYC daycare

The fire broke out in the basement of the two-story building and sources said it was likely started by a lithium-ion battery from an electric scooter

QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY: On Wednesday, a fire broke out in a residence in Queens that was being used as an unauthorized childcare center. According to officials and sources, 18 children were injured in the fire, and one of them was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Shortly after 2 pm, a fire broke out in the basement of a two-story home on 147-07 72nd Drive in Kew Gardens Hills, and FDNY officials and sources said it was likely started by a lithium-ion battery from an electric scooter.

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The New York Fire Department confirmed that one youngster was taken to Cornell Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Deputy Assistant Chief Stacy Scanlon of the FDNY said that the other 17 children were in stable condition and "refused medical assistance on the site."

According to Eye Witness News, the neighbors said they watched as toddlers were rushed out of the burning home. Annie Philip, one of the neighbors, said, "That was scary to see a whole bunch of kids coming out, I saw one in a blanket, that the firefighter took I think, he was running with him," According to Phillip, the smoke was so dense that she had to shut the door down the block to prevent it from filling her house.

As soon as the incident took place and the news broke out on the internet, there was a flood of opinions and reactions to the story as people expressed their opinion on the incident. "I bet that illegal daycare that caught fire in queens will not be heard about again!" wrote one Twitter user, while another commented, "Once again…the electric carriages…"

People were furious about the lack of action on the use of such vehicles. One such angry user wrote, "The proposed City Council bill (Gale Brewer) is weak. No consequences for the use of refurbished batteries. Or sales between individuals." Another user wrote, "Yet another fire in Queens due to an e-bike, this time at a daycare center. Over a dozen children were hurt, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them for a full recovery. We need meaningful action now to address the safety of these devices!"

Adrienne Adams, the speaker of the NYC Council, tweeted, "My heart goes out to the children and families impacted by today's fire in Kew Gardens Hills. This @nyccouncil

has remained focused on advancing solutions to curb preventable fires so the City does all it can to keep New Yorkers safe."