Battery storage fire breaks out at Proxy Delhaize supermarket in Braives, Belgium

A fire broke out in the battery energy storage system at the Proxy Delhaize supermarket in Braives, Belgium, on the morning of 26 or 27 December 2023. The store had installed eight lithium ion battery units with a combined capacity of 144 kWh outside the building to store surplus solar energy from more than 1,200 rooftop panels. The fire started in the battery units, which were located outside the main shop structure. Local fire services from the Hesbaye emergency zone attended, describing it as the first incident of its kind in the region involving commercial energy storage batteries rather than electric vehicles. A specialised contractor removed the damaged battery units and submerged them in a water filled container to cool them before disposal. The store manager stated the shop narrowly avoided being destroyed.

Fire service and an industry association representative said the cause could not be confirmed but speculated it might involve a fault in an individual battery cell, a short circuit in electrical panels, or a connection issue with the battery system itself. It was also suggested that increased electrical demand during the festive period, from refrigeration, lighting and higher customer footfall, raised questions about whether the battery system was adequately sized for the load.

1. Locating battery energy storage enclosures outside the main building envelope can limit fire spread and protect the wider premises.
2. Sites with commercial battery storage should install dedicated fire detection systems connected to remote monitoring or the site owner.
3. Operators should have a defined containment method, such as a bunded area or means to immerse damaged battery modules in water, ready for use after a fire.
4. Emergency responders need specific training and protective equipment for direct current battery fires, which carry higher electrocution risk and can produce pressurised deflagration inside casings.
5. Coordination agreements with specialist contractors for hazardous battery removal and disposal help ensure a safe and swift response.

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