3 weeks ago
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A fire at a San Marcos battery storage system for EV chargers early Wednesday prompted the closure of half of a shopping center’s parking lot and some nearby businesses as officials monitored the scene and kept watch for flare-ups.
Fire officials said the fire was reported shortly before 3 a.m. by a caller who saw a fire near the Tesla charging station on West San Marcos Boulevard near Grand Avenue.
The battery energy storage unit powers about 20 Tesla chargers in the Creekside Marketplace parking lot. The chargers themselves were undamaged, a city spokesperson said.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation. Water was used to cool the unit, and the fire was brought under control within an hour, the spokesperson said.
About half of the parking lot and several businesses in the shopping center were closed as a precaution. There were no injuries or property damage beyond the battery unit and its enclosure.
The San Marcos Fire Department said crews will remain on scene to monitor the unit and address any potential flare-ups until it can be fully decommissioned. The unit is owned by Tesla.
A county hazardous materials team also responded, which is standard procedure for incidents involving battery units. Hazmat personnel are monitoring the scene to ensure proper safety protocols are in place, a spokesperson said.
Battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish bec...
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