VALLEY CENTERVALLEY CENTER — A lithium-battery fire in a storage unit at a commercial facility in Valley Center prompted road closures and evacuations for nearby homes and businesses on Monday.
The fire broke out just after 5 p.m. near Valley Center Road and Vesper Road, according to sheriff’s Lt. William Amavisca.
“The fire measures taken by the company have kept it pretty confined,” Amavisca said.
https://twitter.com/SDSheriff/status/1703975271001620987?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EtweetAs a precaution, businesses and homes along Valley Center Road, from Irish Oaks Road to Miller Road, were ordered to evacuate, according to the Office of Emergency Services online map. People on Turtle Rock Road and Cole Grade Road were evacuated if their homes and businesses were south of Valley Center School.
Officials said people within a few blocks of the evacuation zone should shelter in place.
A temporary evacuation center was set up at Valley Center High School on Cole Grade Road near Oak Glen Road.
Roads were closed in the evacuated areas and at Valley Center Road and Sunset Road.
The orders were lifted just after 8:30 p.m.
Cal Fire Capt. Brett Pascua said precautions were taken because lithium batteries can heat up quickly, causing fire and chemicals to spread to each other or nearby buildings rapidly. But no smoke was showing from the shipping container Monday.
“None of the Fire Department personnel have had to take any action while the suppression system is doing its job,” Pascua said. “The battery company is on scene and monitoring with the Fire Department.”
Companies often use sprinkler systems or chemicals to prevent these types of products in shipping containers from catching or spreading fire, Pascua said.
No injuries were reported.
