SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A lithium-ion battery fire at the San Diego Gas & Electric storage facility in Escondido is raising concerns among residents over a proposed battery storage plant in North County.
The developer behind the project wants to construct a 23-acre facility in a residential neighborhood near the SDG&E storage yard, where the fire erupted on Thursday afternoon.
Super Rides Car Restoration, one of hundreds of nearby businesses evacuated due to toxic fumes from the burning batteries, reopened less than 24 hours after the incident.
“We couldn’t stand the smell,” said Jordan Quintal, owner of Super Rides. Hundreds of others were also asked to shelter in place as smoke drifted through the area.
Fire breaks out in Escondido SDG&E battery storage facility
Fire officials said extinguishing battery fires can be challenging because the chemicals inside the batteries prevent the use of water to fight the flames. “We respect how dangerous these things are,” said Division Chief Tyler Batson. “Now, we’re just trying to hone our tactics so we can deal with the different things that come up.”