In the early hours of Monday in Southwest Portland, four electric Amazon delivery vans were destroyed in a blaze. Following a preliminary investigation, authorities have determined that the fires had been deliberately set. 

The incident took place at around 2:30 in the morning in a parking lot, with multiple passerby vehicles calling in to report trees on fire near the Rivian Dealership and Service Center in the neighborhood of South Portland. At least one caller said that a van was possibly on fire, a press release said. 

A single engine was sent to the scene, however, upon arrival, the crew found multiple Amazon electric vans on fire, elevating the response. First responders focused on protecting nearby vehicles, structures, and vegetation.

Authorities said that putting out Lithium-Ion battery fires can be “extremely difficult to extinguish once they have reached ignition or have gone into a state of thermal runaway,” and that in order for these fires to be completely extinguished, the batteries must either be “completely encapsulated by water or the fuel needs to be completely consumed by fire.” 

Fire crews remained on scene for nearly 90 minutes, extinguishing any non-battery remnants of the delivery vans after the batteries had been fully consumed by fire. Portland Fire and Rescue said there was a particular concern with smoke produced by such fires, and all responders were ordered to use protective air bottles while on scene. 

Following a preliminary investigation, investigators have determined that the fires to the vans had been intentionally set, and the incident is being investigated as arson. Authorities are currently seeking information on the individual or group responsible for the fires.