Firefighters battled a blaze at a north Phoenix manufacturing building near Central Avenue and Deer Valley Road on Friday.
According to a Phoenix Fire spokesperson, firefighters received reports around 5 p.m. about the fire at a building that makes batteries and motors for electric vehicles.
Phoenix Fire Department says factory that makes Tesla car batteries is on fire. VERY toxic smoke from burning lithium. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/p7XHwfQeSe
— Jason Volentine (@jasonvolentine) May 6, 2017
When fire crews arrived they discovered employees had self-evacuated from the building. A business spokesperson told firefighters that they store lithium batteries in the building and it can be extremely hazardous if water is applied to burning lithium.
The fast-moving fire caused the roof to collapse shortly after firefighters arrived. Crews are now devising a plan to prevent the fire from moving to nearby structures while extinguishing the blaze.
An employee suffered throat irritation due to the flames and is being evaluated. No other injuries were reported.
Stay with ABC15 News and abc15.com for the latest information.
