Inverter fire at Kayak Energy Storage Center in Florida

What happened

Holt Fire District responded to the Kayak Energy Storage Center on Trawick Creek Road in Okaloosa County, Florida, after a report of a small brush fire. Crews found a fire involving a power inverter inside the battery storage field. A thermal reading from about 300 feet showed temperatures up to 932 degrees. Baker and Harold Fire Districts were called but later stood down once the fire was confirmed contained to one inverter, with no extension to nearby equipment. Florida Power & Light isolated power to the field. Holt Fire District remained on scene for several hours and, once access was safe, applied foam to extinguish remaining smouldering material.

Contributing factors

The cause of the inverter fire was not reported.

Lessons learned

1. An early thermal reading from a safe distance can help crews decide whether a reported brush fire is in fact equipment fire at a battery site.
2. Calling neighbouring districts early, then standing them down once containment is confirmed, matches the risk from nearby containers and inverters.
3. Isolating site power before close approach, and keeping foam available for smouldering inverter material, supports a safer extended watch.

Source

fox10tv.com