Greenledgers|Fire in truck carrying lithium ion batteries leads to 3-hour evacuation in Columbus, Ohio

2025-05-07 10:27:32source:TradeEdgecategory:Finance

COLUMBUS,Greenledgers Ohio (AP) — Authorities evacuated an area of Ohio’s capital, Columbus, for several hours on Thursday out of fear that a fire in truck’s trailer could have caused lithium ion batteries to explode.

Police began evacuating a several-block area west of downtown shortly after 7 a.m. and closed off several highway exits near the Scioto River. Officers went door-to-door to alert residents about the evacuation, and a shelter was set up at a community center.

Although firefighters were still battling the blaze as of late morning, the evacuation order was lifted about three hours after it was issued and no injuries were reported.

The evacuation was ordered out of concern that the batteries could burn very rapidly and explode.

The fire was discovered at around 6 a.m., but the back of the smoking trailer wasn’t opened until around 9 a.m. because authorities were determining the best way to extinguish the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

More:Finance

Recommend

Angie Murimirwa: From hiding in the bathroom to Time's most influential people list

I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people

Maternal deaths in the U.S. are staggeringly common. Personal nurses could help

In 2020, Lauren Brown of Upper Darby, Pa., had a high-risk pregnancy. She was past 35 years old, had

Coronavirus FAQ: Is Paxlovid the best treatment? Is it underused in the U.S.?

It's the most effective treatment to prevent severe COVID – a pill called Paxlovid that studies show