A battery-powered tractor caught fire in the yard of a Northridge equipment rental business Friday morning, sending thick billows of smoke skyward as fire crews let the lithium-fueled flames burn themselves out.
The fire was first reported about 7:30 a.m. in the 18200 block of West Napa Street.
The building on site and some neighboring commercial and residential properties were evacuated as a precaution, and a hazardous material crew was summoned to monitor the air for harmful levels of contaminants, said the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The address corresponds to Sunbelt Rentals and the tractor appeared to be a track loader, which is a small battery-powered tractor with a front-end loader.
Crews remained on site hours after the fire broke out, allowing the lithium-ion battery blaze to release all of its energy before being fully put out.
Firefighters used water “to keep the involved unit from igniting other pieces of equipment, but due to the reactivity of the batteries and associated hazards of applying water to them, they will not apply water directly to the batteries,” according to the LAFD.
Four homes were ordered evacuated and evacuation warnings were issued for fourteen homes.
All affected residents were notified.
The fire and response closed Napa Street between Lindley Avenue and Reseda Boulevard.
Los Angeles police were providing traffic control in the area and security for evacuated properties.
Los Angeles County Hazmat personnel are also at the scene.
Police say there is no threat to the public.