A fire broke out at one of the world's largest lithium battery storage facilities in Monterey County, California, forcing evacuation orders and closing a portion of coastal Highway 1.The fire started at around 3 p.

A fire at one of the world’s largest battery storage plants forced more than 1,000 locals out of their homes, away from potentially toxic smoke. NBC News' Maya Eaglin reports on the conditions at Moss Landing Power Plant,

The fire that started Thursday at the Vistra Energy battery plant in Moss Landing, roughly 80 miles (about 130 kilometers) south of San Francisco, led to 1,700 people evacuating, closed part of Highway 1 and generated huge flames and significant amounts of smoke. The cause is under investigation.