At approximately 11:43 a.m. on September 22, 2026, a lithium‑ion battery storage system ignited at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California facility on Wheeler Avenue in La Verne, Los Angeles County. The fire originated in a battery energy storage unit that is positioned adjacent to a solar power installation on the same site.
Following the ignition, city officials issued a shelter‑in‑place order for the elementary and high schools located nearby. All students, teachers, and staff at those schools were instructed to remain inside their buildings, seal windows and doors, and await further instructions from emergency personnel. The directive was lifted after fire crews contained the blaze and confirmed that smoke and heat had not breached the school perimeters.
Firefighters from the La Verne Fire Department arrived on scene within minutes and worked to suppress the flames using standard suppression equipment for lithium‑ion fires. The Metropolitan Water District coordinated with city authorities to provide updates on the situation and to ensure that the safety of the surrounding community was prioritized throughout the incident.
Battery energy storage systems are commonly deployed to store electricity generated by solar arrays, allowing the power to be released when demand peaks or when solar production dips. While these systems support renewable energy goals, they also present fire hazards that can affect adjacent properties if a malfunction occurs. The La Verne incident underscores the need for robust safety protocols at facilities that combine solar generation with large‑scale battery storage.
No injuries were reported among school occupants, MWD personnel, or first‑responders. The fire was fully extinguished later in the afternoon, and an investigation into the cause of the battery failure is underway. The Metropolitan Water District has pledged to review its operational procedures and to work with regulators to prevent similar events in the future.