Family Narrowly Escapes as EV Catches Fire While Charging at Home in Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad: A family in Ghaziabad narrowly escaped disaster when their electric vehicle (EV) caught fire while charging at home late Monday night. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

The incident took place in Shastri Nagar, Kavi Nagar, where businessman Girish Kumar and his family reside. The family had plugged in their MG Electric Windsor car for charging at their residence, as they have been doing for the past year. Around 11 PM on Monday, while everyone was asleep inside the house, the car suddenly caught fire.

The family and neighbors initially tried to control the blaze themselves, but the fire rapidly spread to the front section of the vehicle, and nearby areas including the room window and the air conditioning unit also caught fire. They promptly informed the fire department.

Firefighters arrived on the scene with fire tenders and were able to bring the fire under control in time, preventing a major catastrophe. Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by battery overcharging, a manufacturing defect, or an internal short circuit, which led to excessive heat generation.

Precautions While Charging EVs

Mechanical expert D.K. Tyagi emphasized several safety measures for charging electric vehicles at home:

• Do not plug in the vehicle for charging immediately after parking; allow at least 30 minutes for the battery to cool down, as lithium-ion batteries can become hot.
• Use only certified and original chargers, and regularly inspect cables for any cuts or damage.
• Avoid charging if the car or charging port is wet.
• Keep monitoring the vehicle while it is charging, as accidents can occur even after the battery is fully charged.

The incident highlights the importance of caution while charging electric vehicles at home, especially in residential areas.