Update 11am: David Cuerpo from Seattle Fire says the fire started when one of the LimeBike battery packs ignited and caused other packs to catch fire. The sprinkler system activated and contained the fire within the room.
The Vault Response Team was activated when the crews found high voltage signage; water from sprinklers mixed with battery acid can conduct electricity and pose a risk to firefighters.
Cuerpo says they requested Seattle City Light to de-energize the building while crews shut off the sprinkler system, allowing the vault team to use dry chemical extinguishers onto the fire.
When the fire was put out, the batteries were removed to a safe outdoor area in case they reignited.
Original 10am: Two electrical fires broke out at the LimeBike warehouse in Ballard last night.
Seattle Fire first responded at 7pm, and posted on Twitter that the fire was contained to one room of the warehouse at 4615 8th Ave NW.
By 9pm, they’d put out the initial fire, but then at midnight, crews were back on the scene because the fire had reignited. Lauri Miller posted an update in the My Ballard Group shortly after, saying Seattle Fire was planning to use dry chemicals to put out the fires.
A representative for LimeBike says they’re working with the Seattle Fire Department to find out the root cause of the fire.
Seattle Fire hasn’t yet responded to My Ballard’s calls — we’ll update with any new information on the cause of the fire.