US, Los Angeles: La Verne Overnight Day 3 Hazardous Fire Prompts Evacuations at Water Treatment Plant.

Los Angeles, United States - September 24, 2026 09/24/2026 02:21 am GMT-0700 LA VERNE, Calif. – The Los Angeles County Fire Department and Hazmat teams continue their efforts to cool down a second container unit containing lithium batteries. This action follows an earlier incident in which the first unit, also housing a lithium battery, caught fire and exploded. The initial fire has since been extinguished and cleared. The operation has entered its third day, with firefighters focusing on cooling the second unit, which is part of a solar power system. As a precaution, evacuations remain in effect for surrounding neighborhoods near the Metropolitan Water District at the 3200 block of Wheeler Avenue in La Verne. Firefighters are working through the night, utilizing water and drones to manage the situation and ensure safety.