From staff reports
On Monday, July 14, Burton firefighters responded to a fire at the Beaufort County Convenience Center on Shanklin Road. Ultimately, the fire was was discovered to have been caused by the improper disposal of lithium batteries.
Just before 4 p.m., Monday, Burton fire crews responded to a reported fire in a dumpster at the Beaufort County Convenience Center on Shanklin Road. Firefighters arrived on scene and found smoke coming from the debris in the metal recycling drop off area. Firefighters were advised by Convenience Center employees that there was a possibility of LP gas tanks in the pile.
As firefighters began to extinguish the fire and move debris, they located a large lithium battery that was burning and igniting nearby combustibles within the pile. Firefighters removed the battery, submerged it in water, and continued extinguishing the remaining fire.
Moments later, fire crews noticed smoke coming from a nearby large roll off dumpster and began extinguishment on that container. Once again, firefighters located another large lithium battery that was burning within the pile. Firefighters removed the second battery and submerged it, and continued to extinguish the remaining fire.
Both batteries were believed to have been utilized to power equipment. Several helium containers were located within the piles of debris but No LP gas containers were found.
It took firefighters more than an hour, and approximately 3,000 gallons of water, to extinguish the fire. Due to the heat index higher than 100° during that time of the day and the environment firefighters were working in, assistance from the MCAS Fire and Emergency Services was requested.
No injuries or additional damages occurred. The batteries were subsequently isolated and allowed to burn off.
