E-bike submerged in Helene floodwaters results in hazmat incident at Treasure Island resort

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Hazardous materials due to Hurricane Helene’s impact in the area resulted in a hazmat incident and sparked a fire in Treasure Island on Thursday.

At 10:30 a.m., crews received reports on an e-bike submerged in water in the basement of the Bilmar Beach Resort, located at 10650 Gulf Boulevard.

Joint forces of Treasure Island Fire Rescue, hazmat teams and several fire department strike teams responded to the scene, finding a hazardous mix of materials such as gas, paint thinners, chlorine, and 20 to 30 lithium-ion batteries in six inches of leftover standing water.

“Lithium-ion batteries pose an extreme fire hazard when exposed to saltwater, which can lead to spontaneous combustion, even days or weeks later,” officials said.

No injuries were reported.

Shortly after the incident at the resort, fire crews responded to a home in the Sunset Beach neighborhood to find a fire in the driveway.

Thankfully, the fire was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt.

Officials want to remind residents of the potential hazards following Hurricane Helene’s impact, especially when it comes to electrical items being submerged and the presence of various hazardous materials.

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