A battery module, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a module housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior, and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the interior. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a vent. A vent manifold is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells. The vent manifold includes a central passage fluidically connected to the vent in each of the plurality of battery cells and a fluid inlet that selectively allows passage of an amount of fluid into select ones of the plurality of battery cells.