Berwick scrap fire likely started by lithium-ion batteries, fire department says

 Berwick firefighters fight a scrap metal fire at a recycling facility Thursday morning. The blaze sent a large plume of dark smoke into the air. (Courtesy of Berwick Fire Department) A scrap metal fire in Berwick on Thursday was likely caused by improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries, according to the town’s fire department. Berwick police officers noticed the [heavy plumes of smoke](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/11/scrap-metal-fire-at-berwick-junkyard-producing-heavy-smoke/) at about 6 a.m. Thursday, and firefighters were dispatched to the scene at Berwick Iron and Metal Recycling on Route 236, the town said in an update Friday. Crews were confronted with a commercial scrap pile heavily involved in flames, which the Berwick Fire Department estimated to be about 100 feet wide, 200 feet long and 25 feet high. Officials said on Thursday that firefighters were using tankers to draw water from the Salmon Falls River. “Because of the size of the fire, the heat, and the lack of immediate hydrants at the site, firefighters set up a large rural water supply operation,” the town said on Friday. “Crews used a tanker shuttle network and multiple 3,000-gallon portable drop tanks to keep water flowing to the scene.” The Berwick Fire Department suspects lithium-ion batteries in the pile led to the blaze, but the cause is still under investigation. Advertisement An emergency water conservation order was put into effect “necessary to support firefighting operations,” the town said in an alert Thursday. Berwick Water Department users were urged to stop all nonessential water use, but it had been lifted by Friday midmorning. Students at the nearby Hussey Primary School were kept indoors during the school day Thursday as a precaution, the town said, as there were initially concerns about smoke impairing air quality. The town said in a social media post Thursday evening that there was no indication “for public alarm or concern about chemicals in the air, water contamination, or ash.” Roads in the area were closed much of the day as first responders worked to extinguish the flames. The South Berwick Water District also reported a water main break Thursday afternoon at Main Street and Webster Street, resulting in more road closures, but said it was not sure whether it was related to the fire. The fire was declared contained just before 2 p.m. Thursday, the town said, but firefighters remained on scene into the night. No injuries were reported. First responders from 10 surrounding communities, including some from New Hampshire, provided mutual aid, the town said. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [fire](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/fire/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson) [Drew JohnsonStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson) Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts,. [More by Drew Johnson](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson)