A lithium-ion battery fire at a Metropolitan Water District facility in La Verne, California, prompted evacuations and shelter-in-place orders on Tuesday, 22 September.
The blaze was reported at about 11.40am near a solar-panel field at an outdoor battery storage unit in the 3200 block of Wheeler Avenue. Firefighters said a small explosion occurred inside the unit, bringing a hazardous-materials response and crews from the La Verne and Los Angeles County fire departments. ([foxla.com](https://www.foxla.com/news/la-verne-fire-metropolitan-water-district))
Firefighters largely adopted a defensive approach, spraying the unit with water to prevent the flames spreading. The fire was mostly under control by about 2.30pm, although an evacuation order remained in place close to the facility.
Evacuations and school restrictions
Residents near Wheeler and Bonita avenues were ordered to leave, while shopping centres along Wheeler Avenue north of Foothill Boulevard were evacuated as a precaution. Some wider evacuation orders were later reduced to warnings or advisories.
Grace Miller Elementary School and Bonita High School were placed under shelter-in-place orders. The University of La Verne was also evacuated and cancelled classes until further notice, while an evacuation centre was opened at the La Verne Community Center on D Street. ([abcfe-latency.hosted.abcotvs.com](https://abcfe-latency.hosted.abcotvs.com/post/fire-erupts-water-treatment-plant-la-verne-nearby-school-shelter-place-order/19858677/?utm_source=openai))
One employee suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital, according to La Verne Fire Department officials. No further details about the injury were immediately released. ([abcfe-latency.hosted.abcotvs.com](https://abcfe-latency.hosted.abcotvs.com/post/fire-erupts-water-treatment-plant-la-verne-nearby-school-shelter-place-order/19858677/?utm_source=openai))
The Metropolitan Water District said the fire had not affected the safety or supply of its water. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.
