Fires in electric vehicles are rare. But when they happen, they come with unique challenges for firefighters. Firefighters are sounding the alarm about the unusual dangers of electric vehicle fires.
“It’s quite a bit hotter. 2,000 degrees plus. It’s like a jet flame underneath the vehicle – it’s not like a traditional car fire,” Wakefield’s Provisional Fire Chief Thomas Purcell said.
This electric car ignited in Wakefield. The car’s lithium battery was punctured in a crash and caught fire. Crews struggled for two hours to put the flames out.
“We would shut the lines down intermittently, the fire would reignite,” Purcell said.
Chief Purcell said it took crews from six towns using 20-thousand gallons of water. Putting out a traditional car fire only takes about 150 gallons. “Copius amounts of water, but you have to get it directed to the battery pack,” Purcell said.