This week, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle caught fire in a garage in Douglas County, Colorado, prompting an extensive emergency response from local fire departments. Fortunately, the residents were unharmed, though a delivery driver who was at the scene was taken to a nearby hospital for assessment of his injuries.
On Monday afternoon, authorities from South Metro Fire and Rescue (SMFR) and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a structure fire at a home in the Denver area. The incident, originating in the garage, involved a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and required specialized firefighting techniques.
Fire crews arrived and managed to put out the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to the main part of the house by around 3:30 p.m. Still, the PHEV continued to burn underneath the fire blanket, creating a noticeable plume of smoke that was captured by SkyFOX’s aerial cameras around 4:30 p.m.
While the two residents were evacuated safely, the delivery driver, who attempted to put out the fire, needed medical assistance. Brian Willey, the chief communications officer for SMFR, emphasized that minimal water was employed in combating the PHEV fire due to the hazardous reactions between water and lithium-ion batteries, which can produce toxic smoke.
Instead, firefighters used fire blankets to manage the flames and prepared to tow the vehicle to a secured area in Castle Rock for controlled burning. The firefighters involved underwent decontamination, and their gear was either professionally cleaned or replaced as necessary.
Willey noted that incidents like this are becoming increasingly frequent with the rise of electric vehicles and PHEVs, viewing Monday’s event as a learning opportunity for handling EV fires in homes. The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing.
PHEVs utilize lithium-ion batteries, and according to the National Fire Protection Association, can ignite for various reasons such as physical damage, electrical issues from improper charging, extreme temperature exposure, or manufacturing defects.
This year, there have been notable incidents, including a Mercedes EV that ignited in a Florida garage, leading to damages of $1 million. Additionally, a Tesla charging unit was responsible for a house fire in Texas that caused extensive damage earlier this year.
