{
  "id": 4075407,
  "title": "EV Fires Require Specialised Response, Says Fire Service",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/ev-fires-require-specialised-response-says-fire-service",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T01:15:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/29/ev-fires-require-specialised-response-says-fire-service/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has cautioned motorists and emergency responders that fires involving electric vehicles (EVs) need specialised response methods, training, and equipment as Nigeria embraces cleaner transportation technologies. This warning comes from the Lagos Command's Chief Superintendent, Badmus Abdulsamad, during the 3rd Auto Industry Summit in Lagos. Although EVs are less likely to catch fire than traditional petrol-powered ones, incidents involving EVs can be more complex due to their lithium-ion batteries, which can undergo thermal runaway - an uncontrollable chemical reaction that generates extreme heat and spreads rapidly.\n\nThermal runaway can release toxic and explosive vapours, create projectile hazards, and potentially reignite after visible flames have been extinguished. Firefighters must prioritize cooling the battery pack to prevent the spread of thermal runaway, often requiring large amounts of water and prolonged cooling periods. EV fires can occur while the vehicle is moving, parked, or charging, triggered by factors like road crashes, debris penetration, mechanical damage, extreme weather, and charging faults. The firefighting approach for EVs differs significantly from conventional vehicles, as damaged electric vehicles may reignite hours or days later, posing risks in towing yards, storage facilities, and fire stations.\n\nThe FFS highlighted the high-voltage electrical systems in EVs as a major concern, warning that they remain hazardous even after a crash. Furthermore, burning lithium-ion batteries can release dangerous substances, including hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide. To mitigate EV-related risks, the FFS recommends using certified charging equipment, maintaining battery systems, avoiding physical damage to battery packs, and parking vehicles away from buildings. They also caution against personal attempts to extinguish EV battery fires and advise occupants and bystanders to evacuate and alert emergency responders.\n\nIn the case of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, the major risks stem from high-pressure cylinders used to store gas. These cylinders have pressure relief devices designed to release gas if pressure becomes dangerous, but inappropriate intervention during a fire can worsen the situation and potentially cause cylinder rupture and blast effects. CNG fires generate pale blue flames that are difficult to see but produce intense heat, making them particularly dangerous for untrained individuals. Emergency responders should not approach leaking CNG cylinders without proper protective equipment, specialized training, and risk assessment, and must eliminate potential ignition sources while remaining vigilant for cylinder failure.\n\nThe FFS is enhancing its emergency response capabilities by deploying rapid intervention vehicles, fire bikes, fire trucks, and hydraulic platforms. They are also training firefighters in basic and advanced firefighting, rescue operations, and breathing apparatus procedures. Collaboration with various strategic partners, including state and private fire services, the Nigerian Ports Authority fire department, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, is underway. Public education is a crucial part of the FFS's prevention strategy, involving social media campaigns, seminars, workshops, fire drills, annual risk assessments, media engagements, and Fire Safety Week activities. The Service emphasizes that as EVs and CNG-powered vehicles become more common on Nigerian roads, all stakeholders must understand their unique hazards and recognize that conventional firefighting methods may not be sufficient for emergencies involving alternative-energy vehicles.",
  "summary": "Bennett Oghifo The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Lagos Command, has warned motorists and emergency responders that fires involving electric vehicles (EVs) require specialised equipment, training and firefighting techniques, as Nigeria’s",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The Federal Fire Service's warning on EV fires underscores the need for specialised training and equipment, shifting emergency response strategies as Nigeria adopts cleaner transportation technologies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}