Lithium-ion battery explosion causes fire in PSU engineering building
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A lithium-ion battery explosion started a fire in the Portland State University engineering building Tuesday morning, according to fire officials.
Crews arrived to find that a room on the fourth floor of the building was on fire just after 10:30 a.m. The building had already been evacuated, and crews went inside to investigate.
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Portland Fire and Rescue reported that crew members were 'turned out in all their gear, including wearing their mask and breathing from their bottle, as smoke from Li-Ion batteries are toxic and negatively affect the respiratory system.'
The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes, and crews are currently working to remove the remaining 'small amount of smoke,' according to PF&R.
Crews have not reported any injuries or toxic smoke inhalation as of 11 a.m. It is not clear what caused the explosion.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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