Electric charging fire destroys car in Nanaimo

“They did the full analysis, they called me up and they said ‘Congratulations, your battery will not thermal-runaway at a high-speed charger.'”

With no vehicle on either side of Kells’, the fire did not spread.

“It didn’t seem to damage any of the other cars and the hillside is not fire. It’s probably the best result you can have,” Kells told NanaimoNewsNOW.

While having his car destroyed during a trip to another country is not ideal, Kells is maintaining a positive outlook on his vacation with his wife.

“People are more important that stuff, it’s all about people.”

Flames erupt from both sides of Kells’ car. The doors are visibly curved from immense heat. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He credited Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) for its prompt response, expanded on how beautiful the mid Island area is, noting social media influencer Tod Maffin is the reason behind their trip.

Kells indulged at a well known Ladysmith bakery earlier in the day.

“I’m surprised that isn’t a controlled substance; and then on the way through we see Pam Anderson, she was at a bookstore and looked like she was having a great day.”

Despite losing his car, Reid Kells is maintaining a positive attitude. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

NFR Capt. Kevin Pond said the car’s battery was indeed the source of the fire, stating damage was contained to the impacted vehicle, and that the charging port was unaffected.

He confirmed there were no injuries.

“Any fire that we come across has a threat of spreading, but we had a good handle on it with numerous hand-lines. We had a coolant underneath the car.”

Flames shot several feet into the air at times, accompanied by thick columns of toxic dark smoke.

A loud ‘boom’, according to Pond, was caused by car’s window’s blowing out due to built-up heat pressure.

NFR established a containment area, temporarily preventing some motorists from accessing their vehicles.

At least one motorist entering the area to park had a tantrum for being directed out by NFR.

“Our job is to contain the area and keep people safe,” Pond said.

Dozens of people were temporarily delayed as a result of the fire. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Thick, toxic smoke rising above Woodgrove Centre in the southwest corner of the mall’s property. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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by Ian Holmes

Electric charging fire destroys car in Nanaimo

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