A hazardous lithium-ion battery fire in La Verne, California prompted emergency response efforts, evacuation orders, and safety precautions Tuesday after a blaze broke out at a Metropolitan Water District facility near the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant.
The fire was reported around 11:40 a.m. at the facility in the 3200 block of Wheeler Avenue, involving a battery energy storage system located near a solar panel field. Firefighters from the La Verne Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded, with officials reporting a small explosion after crews arrived and one person transported to a hospital with injuries.
Due to the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery fires, including intense heat and hazardous conditions, emergency crews took a defensive approach while working to cool the battery system and prevent further spread. Evacuation orders were issued 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 areas to warnings as conditions improved, though crews continued monitoring the facility and assessing the situation. The Metropolitan Water District confirmed that the fire did not impact the safety of the region’s water supply.
Residents were advised to follow emergency instructions, avoid restricted areas, and stay informed as authorities continue responding to the incident and determining the full circumstances surrounding the battery fire.