Last Thursday, a fire alarm triggered a rapid emergency response at SDG&E’s battery storage facility in Escondido. Fire crews, safety personnel, and environmental experts were dispatched following the reports of smoke emanating from one of the 24 battery storage containers at the facility. According to a Facebook update from the Escondido Fire Department, the incident was contained, with no injuries reported, and affected areas are back to normal ambient temperatures.
The fire prompted immediate evacuation orders for the surrounding community as a safety precaution. Escondido authorities released a statement delineating the borders of the evacuation zone: east by Alpine St., south by Mission Road, west by Enterprise St., and north by Auto Park Way. However, as confirmed by SDG&E in a statement obtained by Hoodline, the fire suppression systems successfully confined the blaze to a single container.
Local services, including the Escondido Police Department and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), monitored air quality and ensured the community’s safety throughout the ordeal. "Atmospheric monitoring has been constant, and the air quality remains safe", assured SDG&E via the City of Escondido Facebook page, alleviating concerns for nearby residents and those under evacuation orders. All advisories have been diligently posted on SDG&E's Facebook page for public perusal and reassurance.
The City of Escondido confirmed that all evacuation orders were lifted by noon yesterday, as the fire has been out and cold since the early hours last Friday. Residents looking to return to their homes will be notified via the Alert San Diego and/or Genasys systems, which have been critical in keeping the community informed and connected throughout this event. A thorough investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted over the coming weeks by the Escondido Fire Department in partnership with SDG&E, as per the information shared in the Hoodline report.
