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Fire breaks out during dismantling of EV charging station with lithium-ion battery storage in Massachusetts
Greenfield Fire Department responded to a fire on 1 October at an electric vehicle charging station being removed as part of a larger replacement project. The unit contained a large internal lithium-ion battery storage system that entered thermal runaway during dismantling, complicating extinguishment efforts. Crews coordinated with the power company to confirm disconnection, requested Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection assistance for environmental assessment, and maintained a fire watch until a cleanup contractor arrived to remove and dispose of the damaged station.
Why it matters
The incident highlights safety risks during decommissioning and replacement of older charging infrastructure with integrated battery storage, a consideration for CPOs planning site upgrades. It underscores the need for specialised protocols when removing equipment with lithium-ion systems, particularly as Massachusetts reported a record 22 lithium-ion battery fires in September.