Fire in the basement of a building mobilized the Fire Department and damaged Audi and Ford models; residents reported panic during the night
A large fire reached the basement of a condominium in Teresina (PI), in the early hours of Tuesday (17). The fire, which would have originated during the charging of an electric vehicle that had no model revealed, destroyed four cars and caused an estimated loss of R$ 1 million. Despite the dense smoke that engulfed the building and the panic among residents, there were no reports of injuries.
The incident mobilized the Fire Department around 2 am. According to reports, the flames spread quickly through the private parking lot, reaching vehicles neighboring the charging point. In addition to the BYD Seal, a Toyota Corolla Cross, a Ford Ranger pickup truck and a motorcycle were completely charred by the intensity of the heat.
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The extreme heat and soot also compromised other luxury models parked in the vicinity of the initial focus, including an Audi Q8 and an Audi Q3, which suffered structural and paint damage. Preliminary estimates indicate that the market value of the lost vehicles exceeds the seven-figure mark, without accounting for the necessary repairs to the electrical network and infrastructure of the condominium.
The Fire Department’s technical expertise was carried out on Tuesday morning to identify the precise causes of combustion. Investigators are seeking to determine whether the short circuit occurred in the car’s lithium-ion battery management system or if there was an overload in the building’s electrical installation. The conclusive report, which must be delivered within 30 days, is awaited by insurance companies and the building’s management to define responsibilities.
The case in Teresina reignites the debate about safety standards for the installation of electric vehicle chargers in collective garages, especially in condominiums that were not originally designed to support the high energy demand of these devices.
