Lithium-Ion Batteries Cause Two-Alarm Fire at Tualatin Commercial Building

A fire ignited by stored lithium-ion batteries broke out late Saturday night at Van Specialties, a commercial van customization company located at 19400 Southwest 125th Court in Tualatin, Oregon. Firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and multiple agencies responded to the blaze, which produced heavy smoke from several bay doors and prompted a second alarm due to the building's size and smoke volume. Crews used ventilation techniques to improve visibility inside the building and confirmed that no one was inside before quickly containing the fire. Battalion Chief Pete Godin praised the firefighters' clear communication and coordinated tactics, which limited the fire's impact on the facility. The hazardous nature of lithium-ion batteries, known for their volatility when damaged or improperly stored, was confirmed as the cause by a fire investigator. Additional support was provided by the Lake Oswego Fire Department, Tualatin Police, American Medical Response, and local 9-1-1 dispatchers during the incident.