16:25 24-10-2025

GM Pasadena center fire underscores lithium-ion risks

A fire broke out at General Motors’ advanced development center in Pasadena, California, on the evening of October 22. It quickly escalated into a major blaze, with flames fed by lithium-ion batteries and a gasoline-powered prototype inside the building.

According to local authorities, more than 100 firefighters and hazardous-materials specialists were called in. Bringing the fire under control took over seven hours, with full containment reached by about 1 a.m.

GM said the blaze was confined to a single concept vehicle and did not affect other areas of the facility. All employees and first responders are safe. One firefighter was temporarily trapped, then swiftly evacuated without the need for hospitalization.

The 14,000-square-meter Pasadena center, opened in 2021, focuses on designing future vehicle models and mobility solutions. The cause of the fire is still being determined.

The episode underscores how lithium-ion components can complicate suppression efforts, while the swift control of the blaze suggests the response was well coordinated.