DE SOTO, Kan. — Emergency crews responded to an early morning fire at the Panasonic facility located at 10301 Astra Parkway in De Soto after an automatic waterflow alarm was triggered shortly after 2 a.m.
Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters from the Northwest Consolidated Fire District observed smoke inside the building, prompting an immediate evacuation of the facility’s workers.
Emergency responders quickly tracked the source of the smoke to a set of battery racks inside a testing area. As firefighters worked to contain the situation, the incident was officially upgraded to a building fire.
Thanks to the facility’s built-in fire suppression system, the flames were largely contained to the affected battery racks before spreading further into the structure.
Crews have since transitioned to overhaul operations, which involve clearing smoke and removing damaged equipment from the testing zone. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among employees or responding emergency personnel.
In a statement released following the incident, a Panasonic spokesperson expressed gratitude for the quick response and smooth outcome:
“We are thankful that there are no reported injuries this morning and for the actions of first responders. An investigation is ongoing. Dayshift will operate with minimal disruptions.”
An official investigation into what sparked the fire in the testing area remains underway.
