A solar energy storage unit consisting of thousands of lithium batteries caught fire in the early hours of the morning after emitting smoke for more than 12 hours following a truck accident in Yunlin County yesterday, January 6.
Yunlin County Fire Department received reports of a large truck overturning on a County Road 145B below the Huwei Interchange on National Highway One at around 1:00 pm , yesterday. The overturned truck was carrying solar power storage units, and white smoke was being emitted due to a thermal reaction in the lithium-ion batteries.
Firefighters deployed firefighting robots to spray the cabin and fuel tanks of the vehicle, while standing by to wait for the thermal reaction to complete on its own. At around 4:00 am this morning, after smoking for around 16 hours, the lithium battery array burst into flames.
According to reports, the battery unit consists of more than 3,000 lithium-ion batteries connected in a series. The batteries are charged to 50% capacity.
The manufacturer warned firefighters not to move the unit following the accident, as excessive gas pressure inside the cabinet could cause an explosion. It was recommended to leave the unit to complete the thermal reaction on its own.
The solar energy storage cabinet was being transported from Shalu District, Taichung City to a company in Douliu City, Yunlin County for installation.
Police blocked the road within 200 meters at each end of the crash site to prevent public danger. The outer lane of southbound National Highway One was also closed.
At the time of publication (around 10:30 am, Tuesday, January 7, the fire has not yet been extinguished).
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