Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 2:56 p.m.
Spokane, WA, February 25, 2025 – At 4:07 this morning, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications dispatched firefighters to MaxAmps Lithium Batteries, located at 4019 East Central Avenue, following reports of heavy fire from a warehouse. Spokane Police Department patrol officers also confirmed a well-involved commercial building fire to dispatchers.
Engine 15 from the Hillyard neighborhood arrived within four minutes, quickly assessing the situation and declaring a defensive attack strategy. The incident was immediately upgraded to a second alarm. With support from Spokane County Fire District 9, arriving truck companies positioned their aerial ladders to deliver master streams of water from above while engine companies secured supply lines from neighborhood hydrants, pumping thousands of gallons of water to the truck companies and firefighters on the ground.
The fire rapidly spread throughout the building, devastating the manufacturing floor and shipping and storage areas and severely damaging the office space. The facility was used for lithium-ion battery manufacturing, contributing to the intense flames and rapid fire spread. The facility took small individual batteries and assembled them into cells used to power devices such as drones.
Early in the response, the incident commander ordered an evacuation of the area bounded by East Central Ave. north to E Francis Ave., and North Myrtle St. east to North Florida St. The evacuation remained in place until shortly after noon. Due to the known toxicity of lithium-ion battery fires, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Spokane Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Team were requested to assess the ecological risks.
Air monitors were placed around the neighborhood to track smoke toxins while a water runoff assessment was conducted. Steady, gusty winds from the south helped dissipate and dilute the smoke, and air monitoring indicated no danger to the surrounding area. The Department of Ecology also determined that runoff from the firefighting efforts was contained on the property, posing no immediate environmental threat.
Avista Utilities responded by disconnecting the facility's electrical and natural gas services. A gas meter was damaged during a partial building collapse, causing an ignited gas leak. Firefighters allowed the affected area to burn until Avista shut down the gas supply at the street valve, requiring an excavator to access the valve.
No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross was called to assist three adults displaced from a neighboring home. While the residence did not sustain fire damage, it was temporarily threatened, requiring firefighters to protect it. An assessment will be conducted to check for smoke contamination.
Fire investigators continue to work on determining the cause of the fire; however, extensive damage and the toxicity of remaining lithium-ion batteries hinder their efforts. The Department of Ecology will work with the property owner and private contractor for cleanup and mitigation to ensure the material is appropriately managed to protect the environment.
Given the potential for lithium-ion batteries to reignite days after a fire, the Spokane Fire Department will maintain a fire company on-site overnight to monitor for flare-ups and be available to respond to any emergent issues until the battery hazards are fully mitigated.
