Smoke from lithium-ion battery fire closes a Modesto fire station
Modesto Fire Station 5 was temporarily closed Wednesday morning after a lithium-ion battery fire filled the station with smoke, fire officials said.
According to the Modesto Fire Department, crews from Engine 5 returned to the station after an emergency call and discovered smoke inside the building. Firefighters entered the living quarters and found smoke throughout offices, the kitchen and sleeping areas.
Crews quickly determined the source was a radio battery charger bank where a lithium-ion battery had failed and ignited. The fire was extinguished, and damage was limited to the battery charger, with no extension to other parts of the station, officials said.
Because of the chemicals involved in lithium-ion battery incidents and the potential for hazardous exposure, the department’s hazardous-materials team responded. Hazmat personnel conducted testing to ensure the station was safe for continued operations.
No injuries were reported.
Station 5 was to remain closed while smoke damage and residue were cleaned, according to the department. Fire crews were temporarily relocated to nearby stations to maintain emergency response coverage in the area.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM.
