The city of La Verne issued multiple evacuation and shelter-in-place warnings on Tuesday after a fire broke out in a battery storage unit at the Metropolitan Water District. While some evacuations have been lifted, a potential second fire leaves authorities on high alert.
La Verne Fire Department Battalion Chief Mark Savage said the fire was started due to an electrical issue in one of the MWD’s two battery energy storage systems. These batteries store energy from the solar farm on-site.
In addition to the LVFD, Los Angeles County health and fire hazmat teams were dispatched to ensure that all hazardous materials were put out safely.
By 3 p.m., the fire had been knocked down, but the fire department was still working to bring the temperature down.
However, at about 5 p.m., the water was shut down to reposition, and a strange, popping sound accompanied by smoke was observed coming from the second BESS.
Savage explained that lithium batteries have a low tolerance for heat, and temperatures higher than 180 degrees Fahrenheit could spell trouble.
“We’re concerned about either radiated heat or direct flame impingement on the second unit,” Savage said.
“(With) lithium batteries and battery storage…there’s a lot of unknowns.”
One potential concern is thermal runaway, a process in which batteries overheat and release energy, which then makes them even hotter and causes a chain reaction.
According to the MWD, the fire has had no impact on the water stored at the facility.
There has been one minor injury reported so far: a water district employee who was injured while evacuating. Savage confirmed that that person was transported to a local hospital.
The initial area evacuated was between Moreno Avenue and B Street going west-east, and Foothill Boulevard to Bonita Avenue going north-south.
At 12:55 p.m., the order was expanded to include areas east of B Street, North White Avenue and Williams Avenue, as well as areas north of Foothill Boulevard and the 210 Freeway. This order was later reduced back to an evacuation warning.
Per ABC 7, Damien High School, Holy Name of Mary School and the University of La Verne were evacuated. Bonita High School and Grace Miller Elementary School were put under shelter-in-place orders.
For current evacuation orders and warnings, click here, or download the Genasys Protect app for notifications.
