Batteries ignite fire at storage unit in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A storage unit in Fresno caught fire Monday morning after lithium-ion batteries were believed to be the cause of the fire, the Fresno Fire Department said.

Firefighters say they were called to the 3500 block of W Dakota Ave at a storage facility just before 8 a.m. to respond to a fire alarm. Once there, crews reported seeing smoke coming from a commercial-sized storage unit.

Officials say lithium-ion batteries in the storage unit are believed to have caused the fire.

Approximately 20 other units were impacted by smoke, but with help from the sprinkler system and additional resources, crews say they were able to keep the blaze contained to the single storage space.

To avoid inadvertently starting a fire, the National Fire Protection Association recommends removing lithium-ion batteries from their chargers once charging is complete and storing batteries at room temperature whenever possible.

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