Chattanooga Fire Officials Report Electric Vehicle As Cause Of Apartment Fire

Image Credit: Chattanooga Fire Department / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

An electric vehicle was found to be the cause of a fire that damaged multiple vehicles, a restaurant, and an apartment building last month in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) officials say the fire, which happened at 417 Frazier Avenue early in the morning of November 22, is the “first large-scale incident related to an electric vehicle” in the city.

The fire burned two other vehicles next to the electric vehicle, and the majority of the other cars in the parking garage had heat damage.

Apartments located above the parking garage sustained significant smoke damage. Five residents of those apartments were taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation.

In additional to the apartment building, Bela Lisboa, a Portuguese restaurant, was also damaged in the incident. Gabe Duncan, the restaurant’s co-owner, said it could be several weeks before they are able to reopen.

Body camera footage released by the CFD shows how police and firefighters worked together to coordinate emergency efforts. 

“Residents were giving important information to the police, and officers were relaying those details to the crews conducting searches and making rescues. You can also see and hear the compassion the first responders have on the scene as they help people fleeing their smoke-filled homes in the middle of the night,” according to a statement from the CFD.

The CFD says the fire was ruled accidental and was said to be of “electrical nature.” Spokesperson Lindsey Rogers noted that the vehicle was identified as a Kia but was unsure of the particular model.

Kia recalled 1.7 million cars last year for risk of fire after reports came in of fires and thermal incidents in their vehicles.

The car manufacturer also issued a warning to drivers to “park outside” and away from other vehicles or structures.