BESSEMER CITY, NC – A three-alarm fire at a lithium plant in Bessemer City broke out Monday morning.
Several Gaston County fire departments responded to calls of a fire at Livent Corporation, a lithium plant, around 1:30 am.
All employees at the plant are accounted for and the smoke is not toxic, officials said.
Gaston Emergency Medical Services said there are no reports of injuries and the city of Bessemer has not ordered an evacuation of the surrounding area.
#BREAKING Gaston County officials have just confirmed a 3-alarm fire at the Livent lithium plant in the city of Bessemer. Officials told me that Highway 161 is closed from 14th Street to Lewis Farm Road. Channel 9 has crews heading to the scene. @wsoctv
— Coleman Montgomery (@colemanreports) June 26, 2023
The 161 Freeway is closed from the JE Herndon Access Road to 14th Street, and residents near the plant are advised to stay indoors.
No cause has yet been reported. Crews were still working to put out the fire after 7am
This is a developing story. Check back for updates
(WATCH BELOW: Arrest Made in Northwest Charlotte Fire That Was Intentionally Set, CFD Says)
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