Fire crews were called to an industrial park on Mammoth Road in Londonderry on Monday after a lithium‑ion battery powering a forklift entered thermal runaway, a condition in which the battery overheats and begins to smoke. Battalion Chief Bruce Hallowell explained that a battery in thermal runaway can spark a fire or even an explosion, making immediate action essential.

Immediate safety measures

According to Chief Hallowell, workers at the facility quickly moved the battery outside the building while awaiting fire‑department assistance. He emphasized that the safest course of action in such a scenario is to leave the battery untouched, evacuate the premises, and call emergency services.

“At that point, we also create an isolation zone to ensure that nobody gets near the battery,” Hallowell said. “Once the hazardous‑materials team arrived, we developed a plan to mitigate the battery, which involved placing it into a fire‑resistive container and filling that container with a medium that prohibits further thermal runaway.”

Health monitoring and disposal

The workers who were present during the incident were evaluated for any potential health issues, and no injuries were reported. The property managers of the facility have been tasked with arranging proper disposal of the battery through a licensed disposal company, as directed by Chief Hallowell.

Community impact

While the incident posed a serious fire risk, the swift response by local fire personnel and the cooperation of the facility’s employees prevented any damage to surrounding properties. The incident underscores the importance of proper training and emergency protocols for handling high‑energy storage devices, which are increasingly common in industrial settings.

Local officials praised the professionalism of the fire crews and reminded businesses to maintain up‑to‑date safety plans for hazardous equipment. The incident serves as a reminder that vigilant safety practices protect both workers and the broader community.

Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.