A fire caused by an electric vehicle’s battery in Ojai led to evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents as fire crews managed the situation.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, an electric vehicle caught fire in Ojai, Ventura County, prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents and a shelter-in-place directive for others. The fire, which was reported at approximately 10:22 a.m. in the 11600 block of Ventura Avenue, was caused by thermal runaway, a dangerous condition where a battery rapidly reaches high temperatures.
The Ventura County Fire Department responded swiftly, arriving at the scene shortly after the initial report. Thermal runaway, which the fire department described as a “challenging and hazardous condition,” occurs when a battery reaches uncontrollable temperatures very quickly. The fire department’s assessment indicated that the safest response was to allow the fire to burn out in a controlled environment, rather than attempting to extinguish it directly, which could worsen the blaze.
Details about the make and model of the vehicle were not immediately disclosed by authorities. As the fire raged, officials issued mandatory evacuation orders to residents living on the south side of Cruzero Street, from Baldwin Road to Loma Drive. At 1:45 p.m., the evacuation orders were downgraded to shelter-in-place instructions.
Additionally, residents on the north side of Orchard Drive, from West Villanova Road to Orchard Drive, were also placed under shelter-in-place orders. These orders were expected to remain in effect for approximately three hours.
The fire department continued to monitor the situation, ensuring the safety of both firefighters and residents in the affected area.
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