Lithium-ion Battery Fire at Rahway Warehouse Under Investigation

Firefighters battled the blaze, which prompted a hazmat response, but found no public risk.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:52pm

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A bold, abstract painting in muted tones of orange, red, and black, depicting sweeping geometric shapes and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex chemical and physical forces at play during a lithium-ion battery fire.A private hazardous materials company has been hired to safely remove damaged lithium-ion batteries following a warehouse fire that prompted a major emergency response.Rahway Today

Firefighters responded to a fire at a Rahway, New Jersey warehouse early Monday morning involving pallets of lithium-ion batteries. The blaze prompted a hazmat response, but air quality tests found no public risk. One firefighter was treated for a minor injury, and the fire was brought under control after about an hour and a half. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Why it matters

Lithium-ion battery fires can be particularly dangerous due to the risk of thermal runaway and the release of toxic fumes. This incident highlights the importance of proper storage and handling of these batteries, as well as the need for effective emergency response protocols.

The details

Firefighters were called to the Pinewood Street warehouse around 6 a.m. on April 13 and found smoke throughout the building. The fire was located in pallets of lithium-ion batteries, prompting a hazmat response from the Union County Hazardous Materials Response Team. Air quality tests determined there was no hazard to the public. Mutual aid was provided by several neighboring fire departments, and one firefighter was treated for a minor injury. The fire was brought under control around 7:42 a.m., and a private hazardous materials company was brought in to remove the lithium-ion batteries from the building.

  • The fire was reported at around 5:58 a.m. on April 13, 2026.
  • Firefighters arrived on the scene at 6:04 a.m.
  • The fire was brought under control at 7:42 a.m.

The players

Rahway Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the blaze and led the firefighting efforts.

Union County Hazardous Materials Response Team

The hazmat team that responded to the incident and conducted air quality tests to determine if there was any public risk.

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What’s next

Rahway and Union County arson investigators will continue to investigate the cause of the fire. The private hazardous materials company will work to safely remove the lithium-ion batteries from the warehouse.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries and the importance of proper storage, handling, and emergency response protocols to mitigate the risks of these types of fires. The quick action of the Rahway Fire Department and the hazmat team helped to ensure there was no public risk from the blaze.