Evacuation Lifted in La Verne; Businesses Begin Reopening
Officials say overnight work eliminated the threat posed by the damaged battery system, allowing residents to return home and businesses to reopen on Friday.
After three days of uncertainty, hundreds of La Verne residents can return home and businesses can reopen after officials lifted all evacuation orders Friday morning.
A lithium battery fire at the F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday prompted the mandatory evacuation order.
Staci Baird
The City of La Verne lifted all evacuation orders, warnings and advisories related to the battery fire at the F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant on Friday morning, allowing residents to return home and businesses to reopen.
Fire personnel and lithium-ion battery experts worked overnight to remove battery modules from the affected enclosure, eliminating the potential hazard to the surrounding community, according to the City.'s website
Businesses at The Commons at La Verne shopping center are reopening Friday. The new Grocery Outlet, whose grand opening was postponed Thursday because of the evacuation, plans to hold a soft opening at noon.
Grace Miller Elementary School will remain closed Friday.
Businesses at The Commons at La Verne shopping center are reopening Friday. The new Grocery Outlet, whose grand opening was postponed Thursday because of the evacuation, plans to hold a soft opening at noon.
Grace Miller Elementary School will remain closed Friday, Sept. 25.
The City said air-quality readings remained within normal ranges throughout the incident. Testing will continue until the battery compartments are removed from La Verne. The City’s drinking water supply was not affected and remains safe.
The City recommends that you continue monitoring Genasys Protect for emergency updates and instructions.
Residents and businesses affected by the fire may submit claims to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California using the agency’s claim form. Questions may be directed to rmanagement@mwdh2o.com or (213) 217-7715.
City officials will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Friday. La Verne Daily News will update this story as additional information becomes available.
Additional details will be added as they become available.
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