DE SOTO, KS – A “thermal event” at the Panasonic energy plant triggered a large-scale emergency response and building evacuation early Tuesday morning.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the facility at 10301 Astra Parkway around 6:23 a.m. on May 5. According to fire officials, the incident was classified as a thermal runaway, a chemical reaction within a battery that produces intense heat and significant amounts of smoke.
Emergency Response and Safety
While thick smoke was visible from the exterior of the building, officials have not yet confirmed if the event escalated into an open fire. Multiple agencies responded to the scene to manage the situation, including:
- Northwest Consolidated Fire District
- Lenexa Fire Department
- Olathe Fire Department
- Johnson County Med-Act
As of 9:30 a.m., emergency units remained on-site monitoring the facility.
Official Statement
Panasonic released a statement shortly after the evacuation confirming that all staff members were safely accounted for.
“This morning, there was a thermal event. At this time, we have evacuated employees, and no injuries have been reported. We are investigating the cause of the event,” a company spokesperson said.
The facility, which is a major hub for Panasonic’s EV battery production, remains under investigation as teams work to determine exactly what triggered the chemical reaction. No timeline has been provided for when employees will be cleared to return to the building.
