Sep 30, 2026 | Featured, News
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- At the forefront of the mission of the La Follette Fire Department is public safety and protecting the environment. That main priority was on full display Tuesday afternoon and evening when LFD Firefighters responded to the call of a hot, swollen large lithium battery in a neighborhood.
LFD Chief Jimmy Pack said the battery weighs 100 pounds, and the initial concern was that they could end up dealing with a thermal incident. That’s when batteries overheat, like this one, posing serious risks such as fire or even explosion.
The initial call came in to La Follette 911 Dispatch a little after 5 pm Tuesday. “I can’t thank our 911 dispatchers for getting us the aid sent to us we needed,” said Pack.
Around 9 pm, Tuesday, the chief explained that “we are moving the battery to a secure location until it discharges, and then it will be properly deposed of. We are taking all precautions to make sure there is no contamination”.
As the hours long tense situation eased up, Pack expressed his appreciation. “I would like to thank my firefighters for a job well done and thanks to the City Administrator Stan Foust for all the support along with La Follette Public Works, Campbell County EMA and TEMA.
It all began when the battery, used with a solar panel in a van parked in the driveway of a home in Linden Park, Riverview Drive, became hot and swollen.
“We were able to get this large battery off to itself and keep everyone away from its fumes. We covered the solar panels to keep any more energy from being generated,” said Pack.
Because LFD does not have the resources to properly and safely dispose of a battery of this size, technicians from Tennessee Emergency Management (TEMA) were called to assist.
Before acquiring the home, the homeowner lived in the van using the solar panels for energy, stated Pack.
Here is the account of the developing story from Tuesday afternoon:
“TEMA is here now (7:10 pm), and the battery is still way too hot to move, and TDEC is on its way to assist,” said LFD Chief Jimmy Pack. He adds that everyone is safe, and his men and trucks will remain on scene until all is clear. “What’s gonna happen next is an independent contractor will come in and properly dispose of the battery,” said Chief Pack.
Already into hour two, Pack notes that this could take several more hours. The call initially came in the the La Follette 911 Center a little after 5 pm.
Firefighters with the La Follette Fire Department were called to a van in the driveway of a home, at Linden Park late Tuesday afternoon. The emergency was that a large lithium battery that hooks to solar panels swelled and overheated in the back of a van.
“We were able to get the battery off to itself and keep everyone away from its fumes. We covered the solar panels to keep any more energy from being generated,” said LFD Chief Jimmy Pack.
LFD does not have the resources to properly and safely dispose of a battery of this size. As a result, technicians from Tennessee Emergency Management (TEMA) are on their way to the scene on Riverview Drive to take the battery away, according to Pack.
Before acquiring the home, the homeowner lived in the van using the solar panels for energy, stated Pack. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/29/2026-6PM-UPDATED 09/30/2026-6AM)
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