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‘LEAVE NOW’ — Evacuations Ordered in La Verne After Lithium-Ion Battery Fire
Crews used defensive water spray after a small explosion in a battery unit, and officials reported no injuries as evacuation zones expanded.
- On Tuesday, a lithium-ion battery fire erupted at a Metropolitan Water District facility in La Verne, prompting immediate evacuation orders for the surrounding area.
- La Verne Police Department officials characterized the incident as a hazardous-materials event involving lithium-ion batteries, with firefighters primarily spraying water to contain the flames and prevent spread.
- One employee suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized, while the University of La Verne evacuated its campus and Grace Miller Elementary School and Bonita High School remained under shelter-in-place orders.
- Authorities urged residents near Wheeler and Bonita Avenues to leave immediately, with Councilmember Tim Hepburn stating the evacuation was ordered out of an "abundance of caution" regarding toxicity concerns.
- Lithium-Ion battery fires create "thermal runaway," a self-sustaining chemical reaction that causes batteries to burn for hours or days while releasing toxic gases including hydrogen fluoride and carbon monoxide.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 18%
C 73%
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