PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Officials say a lithium-ion battery sparked the massive fire that engulfed 40 decommissioned buses at SEPTA’s Midvale bus depot in Nicetown-Tioga.
More than 150 fire officials responded to the scene around 6:30 a.m. Thursday. SEPTA workers helped move unaffected buses out of the way so firefighters could better access the blaze.
The heat caused some bus tires to explode. Crews also had to work to keep the flames away from propane tanks.
The air quality was deemed unsafe for those in the area, as benzene, ethylbenzene and carbon monoxide were released into the air. They were recorded at their highest point early in the morning while the fire was still burning. Levels began to drop once the three-alarm blaze was placed under control around 8 a.m.
Health officials urged residents to stay inside during and after the fire. Levels lowered Friday morning, and the order was lifted.
As suspected by SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer in a news conference Thursday afternoon, the battery that ignited was in one of the decommissioned Proterra electric buses stored at the depot.
Sixteen of the 40 buses that went up in flames were electric buses.