BMW Battery Plant in South Carolina Evacuated Due to Smoke Report
BMW Group's battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina, was evacuated on Thursday morning after smoke was reported. No fire was identified, and no injuries occurred. This incident happened days after a previous evacuation due to a "thermal event."
Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, September 4, 2026 — BMW Group’s battery assembly facility in Woodruff, South Carolina, experienced an evacuation on Thursday morning following reports of smoke within the plant. Emergency services responded to the scene.
Authorities confirmed that no fire was identified after an investigation into the reported smoke. The incident resulted in no injuries to any personnel present at the facility. The evacuation was carried out as a precautionary measure.
This event marks the second evacuation at the Woodruff plant in recent days. The facility was previously evacuated just days prior due to what was described as a “thermal event.” Further details regarding the nature or cause of the prior thermal event were not immediately available.
The battery assembly plant in Woodruff is a significant component of BMW Group’s electrification strategy, particularly for its U.S. operations. The plant is responsible for producing battery packs for electric vehicles manufactured at BMW’s nearby Spartanburg plant.
Investigations into the cause of both the recent smoke report and the earlier thermal event are ongoing. The specific circumstances leading to these incidents remain under review by plant management and relevant authorities. The operational status of the plant following the evacuation was not immediately detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Mary Kate Howland on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.