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The remnants of a truck carrying 31,000 pounds of lithium batteries. Photo by
23 Sep 2024

31,000 pounds of lithium batteries caught fire in a crash on the highway

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A truck carrying 31,000 pounds of lithium-ion batteries caught fire following a crash in Nevada, United States. Firefighters from Pahrump Valley and Las Vegas firefighters responded, using around 5,500 gallons of water along with a product called F-500 to successfully extinguish the fire.

A crash involving a truck carrying a large amount of lithium batteries ( 31,000 pounds / 1,4061 kgs) led to the closure of part of U.S. Highway 95 on Tuesday September 17, marking the latest in a string of incidents where lithium batteries have sparked fires and disrupted traffic.

The total amount of water used to extinguish the fire was 5,550 gallons / 21,000 litres, with the additive F-500, as reported by FireRescue1.com, them in turn referring to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, two semi-trucks traveling in opposite directions sideswiped just after midnight at Mile Marker 13, located between State Route 160 and Mercury in Nye County. Both drivers sustained minor injuries, authorities reported.

The highway remained closed until Tuesday evening, when the Nevada Department of Transportation announced via an X post at 6:25 p.m. that it had reopened in both directions.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Pahrump Valley Fire & Rescue.