La Verne Battery Fire Forces Evacuations as Lithium-Ion Blaze Erupts at Water Facility
LA VERNE, California — A lithium-ion battery fire at a Metropolitan Water District facility in La Verne prompted evacuations, school closures and a hazardous-materials response Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as firefighters worked to contain the blaze and monitor the risk of additional battery failures.
The fire was reported at about 11:40 a.m. at the facility on Wheeler Avenue, where a battery energy storage system is located near a solar panel field. The site also houses the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant. Firefighters reported a small explosion after arriving, and one person was injured and transported to a hospital.
Authorities issued evacuation orders for nearby neighborhoods, while residents east of Wheeler Avenue were instructed to shelter in place and keep windows and doors closed. An emergency shelter was established at the La Verne Community Center for residents who needed somewhere to go.
Several schools and educational institutions were affected. Grace Miller Elementary and Bonita High School were placed under shelter-in-place orders, while the University of La Verne evacuated its campus and canceled classes during the emergency. Grace Miller Elementary remained closed Wednesday as crews continued monitoring the situation.
Firefighters brought the original battery fire under control Tuesday, but a second nearby storage unit became a concern after heat exposure caused rising temperatures, smoke and popping sounds. Hazmat crews continued monitoring the unit Wednesday and used cooling measures to reduce the risk of another fire.
Officials said air-quality monitoring had not detected dangerous levels of toxins, and the Metropolitan Water District confirmed that the incident did not affect the community’s water supply. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Residents in affected areas have been urged to follow evacuation orders and rely on official city and emergency-service updates as crews continue working to ensure the site is safe.