[volkman10]

An electric MG ZS EV – which had its battery removed – ignited a fire which also burned four other vehicles parked near it at a Sydney Airport holding yard.

While the lithium-ion battery which sparked the fire was from an MG ZS EV, it had recently been removed from the electric SUV after it was suspected to have been damaged.

Both Fire Rescue NSW and the Aviation Rescue Firefighting Service from the nearby Sydney Airport worked to extinguish the blaze, which burned hotter than a typical petrol fire due to the materials inside the lithium-ion battery.

In addition to the MG ZS EV, four petrol-powered cars were destroyed by the fire – a Toyota Corolla, Renault Koleos, Volkswagen Passat and an MG HS.

Research officers from Fire Rescue NSW's Safety of Alternative and Renewable Energy Technologies also attended the scene of the blaze, aiming to learn more about how to control lithium-ion battery fires with more electric cars than ever on Australian roads.

Statement from MG Australia said:

We have become aware of an incident that took place with a damaged EV battery pack at a Sydney holding yard on Tuesday 12th of August 2023. This is unfortunate and as far as we’re aware, is an isolated incident. We are working closely with the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators to piece together circumstances surrounding the unusual incident.

Link

[GTE]

Does anyone know whether it was the 70kwh battery which is Lithium ion, or the 50kwh Lpf which we have here?

[Comrade]

When I read the headline & first statement, I thought the car itself caused the fire.

However, a damaged battery, which was already removed from the car, had caused the fire. Looks like exact reasons are unknown. Could be mishandling of the battery pack by the dismantlers or any other unknown reason.

Further, the vehicle was not at the airport. It was at a holding yard (equivalent to towing yard). Only the fire fighting team that attended this incident was from the airport.

Team-BHP should avoid picking such stray incidents, and giving them coverage! I don't think there is anything worth to be discussed about this incident.

[ferrarirules]

Originally Posted by volkman10

While the lithium-ion battery which sparked the fire was from an MG ZS EV, it had recently been removed from the electric SUV after it was suspected to have been damaged.

Mismanagement by the yard holding the car or the team trying to remove the damaged battery. A battery which is damaged should be neutralized/deactivated before storage or removal

Originally Posted by Comrade

When I read the headline & first statement, I thought the car itself caused the fire.

I agree 100%. We should not have click bait/biased titles to teambhp posts. Yes, an EV battery caught fire but the title should have read "MG ZS EV damaged battery catches fire, sets four other vehicles alight at Sydney Airport". Adding just one word to the title makes a world of difference on opinion. And the best title should have been "Damaged battery removed from MG ZS EV catches fire, sets four other vehicles alight at Sydney Airport"

One can clearly see the battery pack in front of the vehicle

[volkman10]

A Tesla Model 3 has caught fire near Goulburn on the same night that a discarded battery from an MG electric SUV caught fire and destroyed five vehicles parked in a lot at Sydney Airport.

The fire in the Model 3 occurred after debris from a truck struck its battery – and is believed to be the first EV fire in Australia caused by road debris.


Link

[EV Fan]

Originally Posted by ferrarirules

One can clearly see the battery pack in front of the vehicle

Why the hell would someone keep a possibly damaged battery, disconnected from its cooling system on a hot tarmac, and that too in a burning hot place like Australia.

More importantly would it have been safer, if it was connected to the car's AC cooling system, which could have prevented its thermal runaway.

It would have be truly great if they would share some insights on this or atleast a proper report.

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread Title Updated.

[anjan_c2007]

Most likely untrained or callous handling of the damaged battery by the concerned. Hence, unless any EV with its OE battery fitted and in use triggers a fire, it should not be a cause to worry by all concerned.