Berwick scrap fire likely started by lithium-ion batteries, fire department says
Scrap Metal Fire at Berwick Recycling Plant Consumed by Early‑Morning Flames
A large blaze erupted at the Berwick Iron and Metal Recycling facility on Route 236 early Thursday, sending a dark plume of smoke over the town. Firefighters on scene estimated the fire‑hot scrap pile to be roughly 100 feet wide, 200 feet long and 25 feet high. No injuries were reported, and the fire was declared contained just before 2 p.m. the same day, although crews stayed on the site into the evening.
Rapid Response and Rural Water Supply
Berwick police first noticed the smoke around 6 a.m. and called for fire‑rescue assistance. Because the site had no nearby hydrants and the flames were intense, the Berwick Fire Department set up a “large rural water supply operation.” “Crews used a tanker shuttle network and multiple 3,000‑gallon portable drop tanks to keep water flowing to the scene,” the department said. Water was drawn from the Salmon Falls River to meet the high demand.
Suspected Cause and Investigation
Preliminary assessments point to improperly discarded lithium‑ion batteries in the scrap pile as a likely ignition source, though the cause remains under investigation. Officials have not ruled out other possibilities and are continuing to collect evidence.
Community Impact and Safety Measures
In response to the fire, the town issued an emergency water‑conservation order to support firefighting efforts. Residents were urged to suspend non‑essential water use, and the order was lifted by Friday morning once the situation was under control.
Students at nearby Hussey Primary School were kept indoors Thursday for precautionary reasons, as officials initially worried that smoke might impair air quality. The town later reported that “there was no indication for public alarm or concern about chemicals in the air, water contamination, or ash.”
Roads around the plant were closed for much of the day to allow firefighters and emergency vehicles to operate safely. The South Berwick Water District reported a water‑main break at Main Street and Webster Street that afternoon, which added to the traffic disruptions. The district said it was not yet clear whether the break was related to the fire.
Mutual Aid and Ongoing Operations
The incident drew a sizable mutual‑aid response, with first responders from 10 nearby communities, including some from New Hampshire, helping to contain the blaze. Firefighters remained on the scene into the night after the fire was declared contained, ensuring that the site was fully secured and that no secondary fires emerged.
The Berwick Fire Department and town officials thanked the volunteer crews and the broader community for their cooperation and emphasized that there had been no injuries and no evidence of hazardous chemical releases. The investigation into the cause continues as authorities review the conditions that allowed the lithium‑ion batteries to ignite the scrap pile.
