A chemical reaction occurred inside the batteries held within a container; this incident took place in a warehouse space during a forklift transport operation. The exothermic reaction caused a smoke release along with sulphuric acid emanations that intoxicated 16 employees, with 8 of them requiring hospitalisation. Fire doors were closed in order to isolate the site of the reaction from the remainder of the warehouse. The forklift was removed onto the facility’s parking lot. Fire-fighters with a chemical emergency team took charge equipped with anti-acid suits; they measured a 65°C temperature on the sealed container, which enabled them to attempt external cooling using 1 nozzle. 30 minutes later, a company specialist observed the absence of water inside the batteries, which proved to be the cause of the chemical reaction. No longer of any utility, external cooling was stopped. The ‘cooling’ water was collected in a retention basin for eventual verification.