Evacuation Orders Issued in La Verne Due to Lithium-Ion Battery Fire

On Tuesday, officials in La Verne ordered evacuations following a hazardous lithium-ion battery fire at a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California facility. The fire ignited at around 11 a.m. on Wheeler Avenue, as reported by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. They are working with the La Verne Fire Department to manage the situation.

The blaze erupted at a battery energy storage system located near a solar panel field on the facility’s northeast side, where the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant operates. The water district confirmed that the water supply remained safe. They stated, “The safety of Metropolitan’s water supply is not affected. We are supporting our first responders as they take the appropriate steps to help ensure the health and safety of residents, employees and others in the affected area.”

Evacuation orders covered residents living near Wheeler and Bonita avenues. Additionally, Grace Miller Elementary and Bonita High schools were under shelter-in-place orders, as announced by the La Verne Police Department. The University of La Verne canceled its classes indefinitely and instructed students, faculty, and staff to evacuate immediately. An evacuation shelter was set up at La Verne Community Center, located at 3680 D St.

This fire incident highlights the challenge of handling lithium-ion battery fires. Such fires generate excessive heat, causing a chemical reaction known as thermal runaway, which easily propagates to nearby batteries. Once initiated, thermal runaway is unstoppable and can cause fires to burn for hours or even days in multiple-battery scenarios, releasing harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

At this moment, the full scope of the hazardous materials fire in La Verne remains unknown. Updates will be provided as the situation develops.