A battery storage fire in Escondido that firefighters can’t extinguish
Tom KirkmanIndependent Project Manager
Oh looky, a battery fire, and firefighters can’t put it out.
“let it burn, let it burn, let it burn” …
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“Fire crews are battling a fire at a San Diego Gas and Electric-operated battery storage facility in Escondido that broke out Thursday afternoon.
According to Escondido Fire Division Chief Tyler Batson, crews were first notified of the fire at 12:09 p.m. as a ringing alarm and a smoke check in the battery bank area of the facility, located at 571 Enterprise St.
Upon arrival, fire crews noticed smoke was seen coming from one of the battery storage trailers. Technicians on board confirmed a small fire was burning in one of the lithium-ion battery rank storage, Batson added.
A 1st alarm commercial fire response was called, with SDG&E’s contracted fire brigade, county emergency response and Escondido hazmat crews responding to the scene alongside Escondido Fire Department personnel.
As of 4 p.m., the fire remains active and has not been extinguished. According to Batson, experts said water cannot be put on the fire due to the involved chemicals, so their intervention is focusing on the area surrounding it.
“Fire suppression efforts are now being made to protect the neighboring battery storage units to make sure that they don’t light on fire as well,” Batson said.
“The plan is really let what’s on fire burn and we’ll safely protect the areas around it to keep it from spreading.” …