Firefighters in Fort Worth, Texas, spent nearly 18 hours battling a fire involving multiple electric SUVs at a Cadillac dealership. The prolonged operation highlighted the challenges emergency crews face when battling EV fires, particularly when flames spread across a dealership lot.
The blaze broke out shortly before 5 p.m. on October 9 at Frank Kent Cadillac, located along West Loop 820. According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, flames initially engulfed one SUV before spreading to neighboring vehicles.
As firefighters worked to contain the rapidly spreading blaze, they discovered that the burning SUVs were electric vehicles. This complicated the response because high-voltage battery fires can be particularly difficult to extinguish.
Fortunately, nobody was injured during the incident, although the damage to the dealership’s inventory was substantial. Authorities are still investigating what caused the fire.
Six Electric SUVs Destroyed
According to the fire department, six electric SUVs were completely destroyed, while at least two additional vehicles sustained damage. Some of the vehicles reportedly included Cadillac Escalade IQ models, although officials haven’t identified every SUV involved.
Firefighters deployed specialized fire blankets over burning vehicles to help contain the flames while other cars were moved out of danger. This strategy helped prevent the fire from spreading farther across the dealership lot.
The operation continued overnight, with crews rotating every two hours as they monitored the scene. Firefighters finally cleared the incident at 10:28 a.m. the following morning, approximately 17 hours and 33 minutes after the initial dispatch.
Why EV Fires Are Difficult To Extinguish
Electric vehicle battery packs are designed to resist water intrusion, which can make reaching burning cells particularly challenging. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can also experience thermal runaway, a process that generates intense heat and can lead to additional cells igniting.
Fire blankets can help limit flame spread, but they cannot stop thermal runaway inside a battery pack. Firefighters must also monitor affected vehicles for possible reignition after the visible flames have subsided.
Importantly, the difficulty of extinguishing an EV battery fire doesn’t necessarily mean electric vehicles catch fire more frequently than gasoline-powered cars. The two types of incidents present different challenges for emergency responders.
Dealership Thanks First Responders
Frank Kent Cadillac publicly thanked the Fort Worth Fire Department, particularly Station 23, for its response. The dealership credited firefighters with preventing the blaze from reaching neighboring businesses and surrounding grassland.
Investigators have yet to determine what caused the initial vehicle fire or whether its battery played a role in starting the blaze.