La Verne Battery Storage Fire: Fire Protection Lessons for Los Angeles County Facilities
Key takeaways
- On September 23, 2026, a lithium battery storage unit caught fire at a Metropolitan Water District water treatment plant in La Verne.
- 504 homes were placed under mandatory evacuation, and crews used about 1,500 gallons of water per minute.
- More solar-plus-storage is being installed on LA County warehouses, campuses, utilities and data centers every year.
- Protection should be layered: an engineered BESS design, detection, a response plan, and the right portable extinguishers in the adjacent spaces.
What happened at the La Verne battery storage fire?
NBC Los Angeles (Helen Jeong and Hetty Chang, September 23–24, 2026) reported that the fire broke out in a lithium battery storage facility that stores solar energy at a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California water treatment plant in La Verne. Crews used about 1,500 gallons of water per minute. Even after the flames appeared controlled, the batteries stayed dangerously hot, and hazardous vapors remained a concern for nearby residents.
About 504 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders, and a shelter opened at the La Verne Community Center. Fire Chief Brandon Coatney warned that “the all clear is going to be a long process,” because the batteries had to be de-energized first. Officials said the regional drinking water stayed safe throughout.
What we don’t know: The report does not give a cause or name the battery system’s manufacturer, so we don’t speculate about either.
Why does this matter for Los Angeles County businesses?
Battery storage is no longer just a utility asset. Across LA County, it now sits behind warehouses in the Inland corridor and City of Industry, on school and hospital campuses, in data centers and telecom sites, and alongside rooftop solar on commercial buildings from Long Beach to Santa Clarita. The La Verne fire shows three things facility managers should plan for:
- Battery fires last a long time. They can reignite and need specialist de-energization.
- Toxic vapors can force evacuations well beyond the property line.
- The spaces around the batteries (switchgear, inverters, control rooms, maintenance shops) still have ordinary fire risks that the right portable extinguisher can stop early.
How should a facility protect a battery energy storage system?
- Engineered design and permitting. ESS installations in California fall under the California Fire Code and NFPA 855, and the local fire authority reviews them. That covers spacing, ventilation, explosion control and suppression.
- Detection and monitoring. Use gas and heat detection, a battery management system and remote alarms so trouble shows up before there are flames.
- Emergency response plan. Have shutdown procedures, a site map for LAFD or LA County Fire, and evacuation routes.
- Portable extinguishers for adjacent spaces. Use the right agent for each room, mounted and inspected under NFPA 10.
Important: Don’t use a portable extinguisher on a battery module in thermal runaway. Evacuate, isolate the area if it is safe to do so, and call 911.
Which extinguisher agent fits each space?
| Space | Hazard | Recommended agent | Amerex model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control / server / SCADA room | Energized electronics (Class C), where cleanup matters | Clean agent (Halotron I) | 398 or 397 |
| Switchgear / inverter room | Energized electrical equipment (Class B:C) | CO₂ or clean agent | 332 20 lb CO₂ |
| Offices, corridors, storage | Ordinary combustibles, liquids, electrical | ABC dry chemical | 423 20 lb ABC |
| Equipment yard / large open area | Larger fires, longer reach needed | Wheeled ABC | 495 50 lb ABC |
Recommended Amerex extinguishers for LA County facilities with battery storage
Tesla Fire Systems LLC supplies Amerex extinguishers to facility managers, contractors and property owners across Los Angeles County. For sites with solar, battery storage or critical electrical equipment, these are the models we stock most:
Amerex 398 15.5 lb Halotron I Clean Agent Extinguisher (2A:10B:C)
Halotron I is a clean agent that leaves no residue. This 15.5 lb unit is rated 2A:10B:C for control rooms, server rooms and electronics where dry chemical cleanup would be costly.
View productAmerex 397 11 lb Halotron I Clean Agent Extinguisher (1A:10B:C)
An 11 lb Halotron I unit rated 1A:10B:C. It’s a lighter clean agent option for smaller electrical and telecom rooms.
View productAmerex 332 20 lb CO₂ Extinguisher (B:C)
A 20 lb carbon dioxide extinguisher for energized electrical equipment and flammable liquids. It leaves no residue, which suits switchgear and inverter rooms.
View productAmerex 423 20 lb ABC Brass Valve Extinguisher (10A:120B:C)
A 20 lb ABC unit rated 10A:120B:C with a durable brass valve. It’s the general-purpose workhorse for corridors, offices and storage.
View productAmerex 495 50 lb ABC Wheeled Extinguisher (20A:160B:C)
A 50 lb wheeled ABC unit rated 20A:160B:C. It gives you more agent and longer reach for equipment yards and large open areas.
View productAlways confirm the listed rating, capacity and intended application on the extinguisher label, and follow the California Fire Code, NFPA 10, your insurer, and any direction from LAFD or your local authority having jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a fire extinguisher on a battery energy storage system fire?
No. Portable extinguishers are not designed to stop lithium-ion battery modules in thermal runaway. Evacuate, isolate the area if it is safe to do so, and call 911. Extinguishers are for small fires in adjacent spaces and ordinary combustibles.
What fire extinguisher is best for an electrical room?
Energized electrical equipment needs a Class C rated extinguisher. Clean agent units such as Amerex Halotron I or CO₂ units are popular for electrical rooms because they leave no residue. ABC dry chemical is also C-rated, but it leaves powder behind.
What is the difference between Halotron I and CO₂ extinguishers?
Both leave no residue. Halotron I clean agent units, like the Amerex 398, carry A, B and C ratings, so they also handle ordinary combustibles. CO₂ units are rated for Class B and C fires and are common in switchgear and mechanical rooms.
What codes apply to battery storage in Los Angeles County?
Battery energy storage systems in California are governed by the California Fire Code, which draws on NFPA 855, and the local fire authority reviews them. Portable extinguishers follow NFPA 10. Check with LAFD, LA County Fire or your city’s fire department for site-specific requirements.
Who can service fire extinguishers in California?
In California, portable extinguishers must be serviced and maintained by a concern licensed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Owners should still do a quick visual check every month.
Equip your LA County facility with the right Amerex extinguishers
Tesla Fire Systems helps facility managers, solar and storage contractors, and property owners across Los Angeles County choose and source the right Amerex extinguishers for electrical rooms, control rooms and equipment yards.
Related fire safety guides
- Lithium-ion battery fire safety for LA homes and apartments
- Warehouse fire extinguisher guide for Los Angeles
- Vehicle and fleet fire extinguishers for LA drivers
- Data center fire protection
Sources
- NBC Los Angeles: Over 500 homes under evacuation orders due to La Verne lithium battery fire (Sept. 23–24, 2026)
- ABC7: LAFD lobbies city leaders for regulations as lithium-ion battery fires rise (Feb. 6, 2026)
News details are summarized from the reports above as published. Causes and details not stated in those reports are not assumed here.