Container fire at Claudia battery storage site in Saucats, France
Aug 2023Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- Claudia battery storage site in Saucats, Gironde, France
- Operator
- Amarenco
- What
- Fire broke out in lithium-ion battery container during commissioning
- Injuries
- None reported
- Response
- Local fire services used water curtain for a day and night
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Amarenco, Nidec Industrial Solutions
What happened
A fire broke out in a container of lithium-ion batteries at the Claudia battery energy storage facility in Saucats (Barban), Gironde, France, which was in the process of being commissioned. The site is operated and owned by Amarenco, with the battery system integrated by Nidec Industrial Solutions. The fire started around midday and was contained over roughly a day and night by local fire services, who used a water curtain to prevent the flames spreading rather than applying water directly to the burning battery unit, in line with guidance for lithium-ion fires.
No injuries were reported and the fire did not spread to nearby forest. Thick black smoke was visible several hundred metres away, prompting concern among nearby residents and farmers about potential effects on crops and woodland. Amarenco stated an investigation into the cause was ongoing, with recent hot weather and the unit having only just been brought into service considered possible factors.
Contributing factors
Possible factors under investigation included the unit having only recently been commissioned and preceding heatwave conditions; Amarenco had not confirmed a root cause at the time of reporting.
Lessons learned
- Lithium-ion battery fires in containers produce thick smoke even when contained, so operators must prepare community communication plans in advance.
- Fire services need pre-agreed protocols for lithium-ion units that use water curtains rather than direct water application.
- Newly commissioned battery units may need extra thermal checks during hot weather until root causes are known.
More lessons on emergency response and public communication, fire suppression and firefighting, weather and external hazards, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Root cause of the fire
- Battery system model and age
- Duration of site downtime
- Cost of damage and repairs
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
