Astoria, OR – Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire at a warehouse in Clackamas early Wednesday morning, after flames broke out in the building’s interior. The fire, which began around 4 a.m., prompted a swift response from Clackamas Fire crews, who rushed to the scene located in the 12100 block of Southeast Jennifer Street.
Upon arrival, fire crews encountered intense flames inside the warehouse, where batteries were reportedly ablaze. According to fire officials, it was later determined that the fire originated from pallets containing old car batteries, which had been “energized.” This term suggests the batteries had been activated in such a way that led to overheating, creating a serious fire hazard.
“Given the nature of the materials involved, this was a particularly dangerous situation,” said Clackamas Fire spokesperson, Lt. Sarah Williams. “Batteries, especially those that are damaged or improperly stored, can pose significant risks if they are not handled with care.”
Crews worked diligently to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further within the warehouse. Firefighters faced additional challenges due to the hazardous nature of the materials involved, which required extra precautions to ensure the safety of both personnel and nearby residents.
No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The warehouse sustained significant damage, though officials have not yet provided an estimate of the total losses.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by improperly stored batteries. Experts urge businesses and individuals to ensure that old or unused batteries are safely disposed of and stored in accordance with safety guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Clackamas Fire officials remain on the scene, continuing their investigation into the fire’s cause and working to assess the full extent of the damage.
