SPOKANE -- A lithium battery factory was heavily damaged by fire Tuesday morning, temporarily forcing widespread evacuations in the Hillyard Neighborhood over environmental concerns.

A neighbor called 911 to report the fire at 4019 E. Central Ave. just after 4 a.m., said Spokane Fire Department spokesman Justin de Ruyter.

The business, MaxAmps Lithium Batteries, was founded in 2004 and assembles batteries for drones, vehicles and robotics, according to its website. The warehouse was built in 1993 and is owned by H&E Rental, which is based in Buckeye, Arizona, according to Spokane County property records. H&E bought the building in 2012.

Firefighters entered the building but backed out when it was determined conditions were too dangerous, de Ruyter said. The surrounding area was evacuated in the early morning, but by midday a perimeter had been set at the edge of the property.