Drama in Munich: Electric car burns out – fire brigade on a large scale!

Drama in Munich: Electric car burns out – fire brigade on a large scale!

On April 18, 2025, a fire broke out in an electric vehicle in Munich, which required the deployment of the fire department and other emergency services. The operations center received an emergency call because a car was emitting smoke at a charging station and the battery was apparently overheating. An emergency fire engine and the volunteer fire department, which arrived on Leipziger Strasse, were alerted.

When the emergency services arrived, no fire was initially visible, but the smoke quickly increased. The operations manager tried to organize the removal of the vehicle by the manufacturer. Suddenly the situation changed dramatically: flames shot out of the electric car, which required an immediate extinguishing attack. Two C-pipes were used to fight the fire while a tow truck arrived to lift the BMW with a crane.

Special challenges in electric vehicle fires

Two major challenges characterize firefighting work involving electric vehicles. The first concerns the high fire performance of lithium-ion batteries, which can occur in the event of a fire. According to ADAC, burning electric cars also attract greater public attention because they are often perceived as more dangerous compared to conventional vehicles with combustion engines, although statistics show that they do not burn more often.

To prevent the risk of the flame spreading to the entire vehicle, the fire department cooled the electric vehicle while the battery modules continued to burn. After sufficient cooling, the BMW could then be safely loaded onto the tow truck and transported away, although the damage to the vehicle is not quantified.

Effective deletion methods and safety precautions

The extinguishing methods for burning electric vehicles are fundamentally different from those for normal vehicles. Water is the recommended extinguishing agent for lithium-ion batteries, but fighting fires in electric cars often requires more water and time because the fire often starts inside the battery. Innovative approaches such as extinguishing spikes are currently being tested to flood the batteries directly with water.

Fighting fires in electric vehicles is presenting firefighters with new challenges, particularly with regard to safety during operations. Intrinsically safe electrical components in electric cars are designed to interrupt the flow of electricity in the event of a defect, requiring additional safety measures. In addition, breakdown assistance on electric cars should only be carried out by trained personnel. Rescue cards that provide emergency services with helpful information on how to handle electric vehicles are also important.

A ruling by the Wiesbaden District Court states that the use of electric cars in underground car parks may not be generally prohibited as long as fire protection and accessibility aspects are taken into account. Regardless of the drive, electric cars must meet the same legal safety requirements with regard to the applicable fire protection standards.