Firefighters were called to Panasonic's De Soto battery plant shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday after an alarm led crews to smoke and a fire in battery racks. Workers were evacuated, the blaze was contained by the plant's suppression system, and no injuries were reported.
As reported by KSHB 41, Northwest Consolidated Fire District crews were dispatched to the facility on a waterflow alarm. Firefighters found smoke inside, then located the fire in battery racks in a testing area and upgraded the call to a building fire.
The suppression system kept the fire confined to the battery racks, while crews began overhaul operations that included removing affected equipment. A Panasonic spokesperson said the company was thankful for first responders, that an investigation was underway and that the day shift would operate with minimal disruptions.
Another Battery-Related Emergency This Spring
Wednesday's fire was the second reported battery-related emergency at the plant in less than three months. On May 5, KCTV5 reported that a thermal event involving battery materials prompted an evacuation, with firefighters describing a chemical reaction that produced heat and smoke but no confirmed fire.
The distinction is notable: May's incident was handled as a thermal event, while Wednesday's response involved a confirmed fire in battery racks. Both episodes ended without reported injuries after the facility's fire suppression systems activated. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (usfa.fema.gov), thermal runaway — described as "the chain reaction of uncontrolled heating" — can lead to fire or explosion, and the agency publishes guidance on risks and response strategies for lithium‑ion batteries.
Panasonic's Kansas Factory is a major industrial site that opened in July 2025. The company says the facility, on a site spanning approximately 300 acres, produces automotive lithium-ion cells and is expected to create up to 4,000 direct jobs, according to Panasonic Energy.
The cause of Wednesday's fire has not been released. For now, the company says operations will continue with minimal disruption as investigators and crews finish their work.
