A fire that broke out in a utility battery-storage system in Escondido on Thursday forced evacuations of businesses in a surrounding industrial area and some school closures.
The blaze at the San Diego Gas and Electric facility was being fought by the Escondido Fire Department and County of San Diego Hazmat.
The evacuation area is east of Alpine Street, south of Mission Road, west of Enterprise Street, and north of Auto Park Way.
The Escondido Union School District said Carolyn Gilbert Education Center, the Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences and Rock Springs Elementary schools would be closed on Friday because of the fire.
The fire broke out just after noon in one of 24 large storage containers of lithium-ion batteries.
“Due to the nature of the systems, industry standard is to allow the fire to burn out when it can be done safely and in a controlled environment,” the utility said. “SDG&E will continue to work closely with fire officials until the storage container has been fully extinguished, which could take up to 48 hours.”
Officials said there have been no injuries from the fire and that air quality in the evacuation area does not pose a health risk.
Updated at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024
