A hazardous lithium-ion battery fire at a Metropolitan Water District facility in La Verne, California, prompted evacuation orders, school safety measures, and emergency response efforts Tuesday as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The fire was reported around 11:40 a.m. at the facility in the 3200 block of Wheeler Avenue, near a solar panel field at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California site that houses the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant. Officials said the blaze involved a battery energy storage system.
Firefighters from the La Verne Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene. Authorities said a small explosion occurred when crews arrived, and one person was transported to a hospital with injuries.
Due to the risks associated with lithium battery fires, including heat and hazardous conditions, emergency crews took a defensive approach while working to cool the battery storage unit and prevent further spread.
Evacuation orders were issued for areas near Wheeler Avenue and Bonita Avenue, while nearby schools, including Grace Miller Elementary School and Bonita High School, were placed under shelter-in-place measures. The University of La Verne also canceled classes as a precaution.
Officials later reduced some evacuation orders to warnings as conditions improved, though the immediate area around the facility remained under restrictions while crews continued monitoring the situation.
The Metropolitan Water District said the fire did not affect the safety of the region’s water supply. Authorities continue monitoring the battery system and assessing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Residents in affected areas have been advised to follow emergency instructions, avoid restricted zones, and remain alert for further updates from local officials.
