Berkeley Fire handles EV battery fire at Webster, Benvenue

An electric vehicle battery fire sent "toxic smoke" into a Berkeley neighborhood this week, prompting a shelter-in-place alert for residents.

On Tuesday morning, Berkeley firefighters were dispatched to a car fire near an Elmwood home "after an electric vehicle parked in a driveway experienced a possible battery thermal event related to overcharging," authorities said.

Readers who saw the fire and its aftermath asked The Scanner for details.

When firefighters got to Webster Street and Benvenue Avenue shortly after 10:40 a.m., they found smoke pouring from the car's battery area, the Berkeley Fire Department said.

BFD crews first used a winch on a fire truck to move the car away from a nearby home and other parked vehicles.

A tow company later pulled the car into the intersection to make more room from "nearby exposures," BFD said.

Firefighters put water on the battery pack and car interior to cool the area.

Meanwhile, said BFD, "the battery continued to discharge large amounts of toxic smoke, creating a hazardous-materials concern for both firefighters and nearby residents."

On Thursday, Berkeley Fire Chief Dave Sprague said electric vehicle battery fires like this week's "thermal runaway" event are becoming more common and "create unique challenges for emergency responders."

"Smoke from lithium-ion battery events can present hazards, requiring firefighters to operate with protective equipment and prompting precautions for the surrounding neighborhood," he said. "Unlike traditional vehicle fires, EV battery thermal events may produce toxic smoke, require prolonged cooling, and create contaminated runoff."

On Tuesday, Public Works crews used a vacuum truck "to collect runoff before it could enter storm drains," Sprague said.

And Berkeley firefighters had nearby residents shelter in place and close their windows during the response.

The city's Office of Emergency Services also sent a shelter-in-place alert to advise the neighborhood about the potential hazard, BFD said.

Sign up for AC Alert for official emergency advisories

Berkeley uses Alameda County’s alerting system to send texts, emails and calls during critical incidents.

The Berkeley ScannerCity of Berkeley

Lithium-ion battery safety tips from the city of Berkeley

• Only use the original manufacturers’ chargers, batteries and replacements
• Charge only until the battery is full, then disconnect
• Do not leave charging batteries unattended, including for the day or weekend
• Keep batteries away from heat, cold and flammable items while charging and storing
• Discard distressed batteries (those that are swollen, dented or otherwise damaged) at a drop-off site — not in your garbage can

The city has also noted that fires can "occur spontaneously while charging" and advised anyone noticing signs of fire, such as smoke, gas and sparks, to evacuate the area and immediately call 911.

The ClimateAction Center also has a great roundup of lithium-ion battery safety tips as does the National Fire Protection Association.

Read more about lithium-ion battery fires from Berkeley Lab.

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