Crime & Safety
Fire Breaks Out At MWD Facility In La Verne, Prompting Evacuation Orders
The fire broke out just before noon.
LA VERNE, CA — A fire broke out Tuesday in an outdoor battery storage unit at a Metropolitan Water District facility in La Verne, prompting evacuation orders and forcing crews into a defensive posture as flames rose from a building on the sprawling grounds.
La Verne Fire Department Battalion Chief Mark Savage told City News Service the fire was reported around 11:40 a.m. at the facility in the 3200 block of Wheeler Avenue. Los Angeles County Fire Department crews also responded to the scene.
According to Savage, when firefighters initially arrived, there was a small explosion in the battery unit, but no injuries were reported. It was unclear exactly what type of storage unit was burning, but Savage said the MWD does have "some type of power storage with lithium batteries." There are numerous solar panels on the property.
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Due to the hazardous nature of lithium batteries, fire crews were mainly spraying the area with water to prevent the flames from spreading.
Evacuation orders were issued in the immediate area around the facility, while evacuation warnings were issued north and east of the area.
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La Verne police said shopping centers along Wheeler north of Foothill Boulevard were evacuated as a precaution.
Grace Elementary School, located just east of the facility, was under a shelter-in-place order, with Holly Oak Street south of the school closed to traffic. Savage said students were apparently being released from the school while the fire was being battled.
At about 12:50 p.m., the county fire department said it was a hazardous materials incident and that an evacuation order was issued "for everyone near Wheeler and Bonita Avenue."
"Gather family and LEAVE NOW," the fire department advised on its X account. "Your safety is in danger if you stay. Use caution while evacuating. Follow instructions from emergency personnel."
Savage said the extent of the danger to nearby areas was being assessed, adding, "You don't want to be breathing smoke off-gassing from batteries, I know that."
City News Service
