Firefighters have issued a warning to Australian homeowners about the dangers of electric vehicle fires after a family had a 'lucky escape' in Galston, near Sydney, when a faulty charger caused extensive damage to their home.
Incident Details
A NSW Rural Fire Service spokeswoman said crews responded to the blaze at about 4.30am on Wednesday. The fire started in the garage, where an electric vehicle charger failed. Fortunately, a working smoke alarm in the hallway alerted the family, allowing them to evacuate safely. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire before it spread further into the house.
'While there were no smoke alarms in the garage, a working smoke alarm in the hallway activated, giving the family time to escape and firefighters a chance to stop the fire,' the spokeswoman said. She emphasized the importance of installing multiple smoke alarms throughout the home, especially in areas where combustible materials are present.
Growing Concern Over EV Charging Fires
This incident follows a similar fire in Victoria in 2024, where an international adaptor used to charge a Nissan Leaf failed. Authorities have since urged EV owners to use proper, compliant charging equipment and avoid travel adaptors, power boards, or extension cords.
Emma Sutcliffe, director of EV Firesafe, noted an increase in fires linked to poor electrical wiring or charging practices. 'Using a power adaptor, power board, or extension cord is not advisable,' she said. 'If you buy an EV, purchase a compliant charging unit and have it installed by an electrician. It will work smoothly and save you a lot of heartache.'
EV Fires Are Rare but Preventable
Sutcliffe highlighted that EV fires are relatively rare, with only 14 verified battery fires in plug-in electric or hybrid vehicles across Australia. However, many owners are unaware that EVs should not be charged using standard household power points. 'We call it 'dumb ways to charge,' but people just don't know any better,' she said. 'They treat it like a fridge, but a car pulls constant power, unlike a fridge that cycles on and off.'
The RFS recommends installing smoke detectors in garages or wherever combustible items, including electric cars, are present. Proper installation by a licensed electrician is crucial to prevent such incidents.
