Highway shut down due to massive fire at lithium battery plant – Firefighters helpless as flames rage on.

Inferno at Lithium Plant Highlights Dangers of Battery Fires

In the past year, lithium-ion battery fires have caused devastating wrecks along highways and turned buildings into infernos that are difficult to control. And now, a plant that produces the very substance that is so hard to extinguish has gone up in flames.

The Livent Corp. plant in Bessemer City, North Carolina, was engulfed in a three-alarm blaze early Monday morning, according to WCNC-TV in Charlotte. Despite the massive flames, there were no reports of injuries, and all employees were safely accounted for.

Crews battle 3-alarm fire at lithium plant in North Carolina https://t.co/4NII5oL0Yl

— KYOU (@KYOUTV) June 26, 2023

BREAKING: A three-alarm fire at a lithium plant in Bessemer City broke out early Monday morning. https://t.co/ryRBd8WpY1

— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) June 26, 2023

The fire occurred in a building where solid lithium metal ingots are produced, according to a release from the company. This facility is responsible for manufacturing battery components for electric vehicles, as reported by WBTV-TV.

NOW: A three-alarm fire is burning at the Livent Corp. Lithium Plant in Bessemer City. Gaston County has shut down the entrance to Hwy 161 South all the way to Kings Mountain Rd. @MaryCalkinsTV is live on that scene. Latest updates on @WBTV_News. pic.twitter.com/vzufU3dBvB

— Mary King (@MaryKingTV) June 26, 2023

Gaston County Communications reported that the fire broke out around 1:20 a.m., leading to the closure of Highway 161 near the plant. While no evacuation order was issued, residents in the vicinity were advised to stay indoors and avoid driving around roadblocks.

I’ll bet this isn’t good for our environment

Lithium plant fire causes heavy smoke, road closurehttps://t.co/uMaHfHbxVl

— JT Retired Medic (@Janaluwho) June 26, 2023

As highlighted in a CNN report, the rise of lithium-ion technology in transportation devices like e-bikes and electric vehicles has brought about new challenges in fire safety. These fires are not slow burns; they explode with tremendous force, making them extremely difficult to extinguish. Dylan Khoo, an analyst at tech intelligence firm ABI Research, emphasized the heightened danger when a fire involving lithium-ion batteries occurs.

The incident at the Livent Corp. plant serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires. It is crucial to address these challenges and prioritize safety measures to prevent further incidents.

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