A fire at a Franklin Township warehouse that stores lithium-ion batteries for recycling drew a hazmat response and left two firefighters with minor injuries early Friday morning, authorities said.
Fire and smoke were reported just before 4 a.m. at 245 Belmont Drive, a building shared by a recycling operation and a furniture supply business, Franklin Township Police Lt. Robert Ellis told Patch. An officer arrived within four minutes, found heavy smoke and entered the building to make sure no one was inside. People in the warehouse had gotten out on their own, and the sprinkler system activated.
The fire broke out on the side of the building used as a recycling center for batteries, computers and televisions, Somerset Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Gianotto told News 12 New Jersey. He said lithium batteries made the three-alarm fire difficult to extinguish because they can keep burning for an extended period; crews let the batteries burn out while continuing ventilation work.
The fire was extinguished by Friday morning. “At this time, it appears the batteries were the cause of the fire; however, Franklin Township Fire Prevention is investigating,” Ellis said.
Two firefighters were treated by EMS for minor injuries and returned to the firehouse. “Everybody’s OK,” Gianotto said.
Lithium-ion battery fires have become a growing concern for recyclers and waste facilities because damaged cells can ignite spontaneously and are hard to put out. Somerset County’s hazmat team responded because of the batteries in the building. Anyone with information is asked to contact Inspector John Haus at 732-873-2500, ext. 6305.
JBizNews Desk | Somerset County, NJ
© JBizNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution is strictly prohibited.
