A battery storage facility became the scene of a massive fire on the evening of October 1. The fire, which occurred along the Peoria-Glendale border in the vicinity of 73rd Avenue and Northern Avenue, drew a substantial response from multiple fire departments. According to reports from FOX 10 Phoenix, crews from Peoria, Phoenix, and Glendale worked together to tackle the sizable blaze that was seen emanating from containers storing unknown types of batteries.
The facility in question, owned by Salt River Project (SRP), features a 25-megawatt battery system situated at the Bolster Substation adjacent to the Agua Fria Generating Station in Peoria. SRP informed through a spokesperson that while the battery system is currently offline, there have been no power outages as a result of the incident. Flames, drawing the attention of passersby, shot from the containers with firefighters diligently attempting to control the situation. "the number one goal is prevent it from spreading, prevent additional damage, monitor the air quality. Life and safety and protecting property is always our top priority," Brady Casson with the Peoria Fire-Medical Department explained, charging into the smoke without hesitating in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
As the teams battled the fire, Northern Avenue near 75th Avenue was closed for several hours to secure the area and facilitate the firefighting efforts. The thick smoke that billowed from the facility could be seen from far away, prompting concerns regarding air quality and safety. As of yet, no injuries have been reported as a result of the blaze.
At this time, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. "It’s unclear what sparked the flames," an update from Arizona’s Family noted, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the incendiary incident. Officials are likely investigating the circumstances that led up to the fire, with details expected to emerge as crews continue to clear containers and debris with the hope that no further incidents will occur.
