WESTMINSTER, MD – A massive two-alarm fire at the Battery Warehouse store in Westminster brought out over 130 firefighters and hazmat crews late Monday evening, leaving two first responders hospitalized.
Emergency Response to Baltimore Boulevard
The Carroll County Fire Department responded to the business in the 800 block of Baltimore Boulevard at approximately 7:25 p.m. upon receiving reports of thick smoke fuming from the building.
Due to the size of the retail store and the known presence of hazardous materials, Fire Chief Michael Robinson quickly upgraded the incident to a two-alarm call, bringing in massive reinforcements.
Dangerous Thermal Runaway Condition
Firefighters and specialized hazmat teams from both Carroll and Baltimore counties identified an active fire localized within a pallet of batteries. Chief Robinson confirmed the pallet contained a mix of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.
“Lithium-ion batteries are the most hazardous,” Robinson stated. “We believe one of them had a condition known as thermal runaway, which is a very dangerous condition.”
First Responder Injuries
The intense conditions and heavy gear took a toll on the crews working to contain the chemical fire. Two Carroll County fire personnel suffered heat-related injuries during the operation and were transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
Investigation and Safety
Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and require specialized hazmat handling to prevent toxic gas release and reignition. Environmental and fire officials remained on the scene late into the night to monitor air quality and ensure the site was entirely secure.
The exact cause of the initial battery failure remains under investigation.
