Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) carry significant dangers—from catastrophic thermal runaway events to toxic fires and explosions. Yet recent approvals by local boards in Millbury leave urgent questions about transparency, public safety, and regulatory enforcement unanswered. When half our town’s population falls within the two-mile danger zone of a major energy facility, residents deserve clear answers and real protection.

The Dangers of BESS Fires

A lithium-based BESS fire or thermal runaway can unleash uncontrollable heat, explosions, and hazardous gases like hydrogen fluoride. These chemicals threaten public health—especially vulnerable residents, children in schools, and anyone relying on well water. Once ignited, battery fires can spiral beyond the ability of local fire departments to control, often leading officials to let them burn out, risking widespread contamination.

Watch as a massive 60,000-pound lithium-ion battery explodes on a freeway—caught on camera from a safe distance. The blast was so loud it could be heard from 500 feet away, and toxic fumes forced officials to let the fire burn out before cleanup could begin. This dramatic incident raises serious questions about safety, response, and future regulation of lithium battery transport and fires.

The dramatic explosion of a 60,000-pound container of lithium-ion batteries—which were not even a BESS or connected to the electrical grid—underscores just how dangerous these batteries are when things go wrong. Now, imagine that risk multiplied in a grid-attached battery energy storage system (BESS) composed of several such lithium-phosphorus batteries containers or clustered together in close proximity to homes, a major highway like the corridor between Worcester and Providence, a community ball field, or the Blackstone River. The stakes become exponentially higher: a thermal runaway, fire, or explosion in one unit could cascade through the entire system, triggering massive explosions and releasing clouds of toxic fumes where thousands live, travel, and play. Similar dangers have been witnessed elsewhere, with BESS installations near residential neighborhoods, schools, and public facilities resulting in evacuation orders, school shutdowns, and persistent community health fears. Each incident highlights the outsized risks these sites pose when located within or near densely populated areas—and why siting decisions must be guided by public safety above all else.

Who Is Impacted?

A minor fire (0.25-mile radius) could endanger dozens of homes and recreation zones.
A moderate event (0.5-mile radius) threatens critical infrastructure—police and fire stations included.
A severe scenario (1–2-mile radius) puts over half of Millbury’s population, buildings, wells, and neighboring Sutton in harm’s way.
An extreme incident (5-mile radius) could disrupt all of Millbury plus communities in Sutton, Grafton, Worcester, Auburn, and Oxford.

A detailed mapping of the approved site at 55 Sycamore Street/Route 146 shows how densely homes, businesses, and schools cluster in the impact area. Each blue dot on the map represents a vulnerable address—proof that the danger is real and local.

The impact area of a thermal runaway, fire, or explosion of the Millbury Planning Board’s approval of the BESS project slated for 55 Sycamore Street at Route 146 (northbound). Each blue dot represents an address of a residence, business, or other occupied structure from the E-911 system data,

This more detailed illustration highlights significant landmarks, including police and fire stations, public schools, the mall, large apartment complexes, large condominium complexes, the proposed Rice Pond Village, the proposed Singletary Arms, and the MBTA Communities Act (zoned on Route 146). Each blue dot represents an address of a residence, business, or other occupied structure from the E-911 system data,

These illustrations make it clear: a two-mile radius would cover more than half of Millbury’s population, affecting residents, businesses, and vital public safety facilities—and would extend into Sutton, where drinking water wells sit just beyond the town line west of Route 146. Importantly, smoke, toxins, and heavy metals won’t be confined by the boundaries of these circles; their spread will ultimately be dictated by wind and weather conditions, potentially expanding the area of exposure far beyond the initial impact zone.

Think about the wildfires in California, Oregon, and Canada—events that have sent massive plumes of smoke and hazardous particulates thousands of miles from their source. We’ve all experienced days when the air here turns hazy and the smell of burning brush travels across states, sometimes triggering air quality alerts even on the East Coast. These distant disasters show just how far and wide airborne pollutants can travel, affecting communities nowhere near the original fire. If a major battery fire or explosion were to occur locally, there’s every reason to believe that toxic smoke and contaminants could similarly drift far beyond the immediate site, impacting neighborhoods, schools, and natural resources across entire regions

Downplaying Risk

During the BESS project appeal, developer attorneys tried to minimize legitimate fears—even suggesting shelter-in-place is sufficient. When pressed if they would personally comply, one admitted, “No, I’d get the hell out,” exposing a worrying lack of confidence in their own assurances. This response understandably left neighbors uneasy about their health and property.

Why This Feels Like “Erin Brockovich,” Massachusetts Edition

Just as in Erin Brockovich’s battle for a safe water supply, residents are raising alarms about public health risks while industry and regulators deflect concerns. It’s a classic David vs. Goliath scenario—ordinary families demanding accountability and safety from powerful corporate and bureaucratic interests.

Our Homes Aren’t Sealed—Smoke and Chemicals Get In

Homes and buildings here aren’t hermetically sealed; air, smoke, and toxins easily enter through doors, windows, vents, and HVAC. As wildfires have shown nationwide, toxic air travels for miles and invades indoor spaces, contaminating surfaces and soils. Unlike bunkers with specialized filters, our homes offer little protection if a BESS fire spews chemicals across Millbury.

Historical BESS Disasters: Lessons Ignored

Incidents like the Moss Landing fires in California and repeated battery fires worldwide have forced mass evacuations, overwhelmed local hospitals, and left long-term environmental damage. In every case, hazardous gases resulted in shelter-in-place orders, closed roads, and lingering contamination of air, water, and soil. U.S. consumer battery fires in e-bikes, phones, and other devices already cause hundreds of incidents and dozens of deaths each year—imagine those risks scaled up for an entire town.

Environmental Fallout: Air, Water, Soil at Stake

A BESS disaster instantly degrades air quality, releases carcinogenic gases, and can contaminate wells, groundwater, and local ponds used for recreation. Chemicals linger in soil and water long after the smoke clears—jeopardizing crops, wildlife, and the public’s health for years to come. The risk to Millbury’s aquifers and drinking water is not theoretical; it’s a proven outcome elsewhere.

The Cost of Failure: Taxpayers Bear the Burden

When town officials make hasty or poorly informed decisions, it’s taxpayers who pay—for emergency response, environmental cleanup, property value losses, and ultimately, health care. Some taxpayers are concerned about the $160,000 settlement payment on the town warrant is but a fraction of what a full-scale BESS incident could cost local households and businesses. Consider the enormous expenses involved in cleaning up contaminated surfaces, soil, and water after an environmental disaster.

Rubber Stamp Approvals: How Did We Get Here?

Despite obvious risks, the Millbury Planning Board approved the project before a real emergency response plan was in place—with only a blank template provided and a vague promise to fill in details later. Rather than enforcing basic due diligence or demanding specific safety measures, officials deferred to the applicant and avoided tough questions. This rush to approve, instead of scrutinizing for public safety, undermines trust and exposes everyone to risk.

Lack of Fire Department Readiness

Even more troubling, the former Fire Chief did not raise substantial objections, despite the town lacking enough water or resources to fight a BESS fire. “Let it burn” has been the fallback in similar communities—a plan that turns Millbury itself into the firebreak, risking mass contamination.

False “By-Right” Claims and Loopholes

Contrary to claims by the former Building Inspector, “by-right” status should be limited to regulated public utilities—not private, high-risk industrial facilities. Boards have both the right and the obligation to insist on extra safety reviews and strong zoning constraints. Bypassing these protections for speed’s sake leaves us exposed.

Emergency Medical Surge: Our Hospitals at Risk

BESS fire events have sent first responders and residents to hospitals for chemical burns, toxic exposure, and respiratory issues. In Central Massachusetts, a large-scale incident could overwhelm emergency rooms—especially in rural towns with limited medical infrastructure.

What Next? Residents Must Act

Millbury’s residents must demand transparency, real emergency planning, and independent oversight from local officials. Accountability starts with attending public meetings, asking hard questions, and ultimately electing leaders committed to public safety and factual review—not business as usual.

As residents, we cannot afford to be passive or simply hope that nothing will go wrong—because the risk of thermal runaway, fire, or explosion with lithium battery systems is not hypothetical; it’s high. We only have to look at the frequent reports of phones, e-bikes, scooters, and other consumer devices catching fire or exploding to understand how real these dangers are. When these batteries are scaled up in massive grid-connected systems near our homes and community spaces, the potential consequences multiply dramatically. It’s up to us to demand action and responsible oversight from town officials, especially when bodies like the Millbury Planning Board have failed to put safety and accountability first. Our voices, vigilance, and advocacy are the best tools we have to protect our families, property, and the future of our community. We must insist on thorough scrutiny, thoughtful planning, and strong safeguards—not business as usual.

Upcoming Meeting: Make Your Voice Heard

The Millbury Board of Selectmen will discuss these issues on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Residents are urged to attend and advocate for genuine safety and transparency.

Construction on the Millbury project has not begun—there’s still time to reconsider. Meanwhile, Moraga Storage LLC, the same company involved in Oakham’s controversial 180MW BESS proposal (see Boston.com for details), is seeking a state exemption to bypass local zoning in Oakham. The parallels are stark, and Millbury should take heed.

Battery Danger Zone: Why Local Missteps Are Putting Millbury At Risk From BESS Fires