02.28.2023 | 1:12 AM | LAGUNA HILLS – A third-alarm fire involving electric bike batteries ripped through a commercial building sending potentially hazardous smoke across the region, early Tuesday morning.
The commercial fire was reported in the 23100 block of Alcalde Drive around 1:12 AM at a single-story commercial building that houses several businesses including one that deals in electric bikes.
When crews arrived they were met by heavy smoke pouring out of the building and initiated an intense firefight that lasted over two hours.
Due to electric bikes and apparent lithium-ion batteries within the building, a hazmat team was requested and firefighters were instructed to avoid breathing any smoke from the fire.
Low cloud cover allowed the smoke to drift into nearby cities and could be smelled from miles away, prompting authorities to reccomend that residents remain inside and away from the area of the fire.
The intense firefight lasted at least three hours while crews douse and worked to prevent flames from spreading.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
