Six people lost their home this morning (Friday) to a fire that investigators say was caused by issues with an electric vehicle charger.
A resident of the house in the 6600 block of Mainsail Court in Burke discovered the fire in their garage after smelling smoke, prompting all occupants to evacuate, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD).
Firefighters responded around 3:30 a.m. and arrived to find flames showing from the roof of the single-family house’s attached garage.
“Crews quickly began extinguishing the fire and conducting search operations,” the FCFRD said in a news release.
No injuries were reported, but the fire caused an estimated $128,223 in property damages, and the residents have been displaced. They accepted help from the Red Cross, the fire department says.
Investigators from the Office of the Fire Marshal traced the fire’s origin to a “stud bay of an exterior wall in the garage,” according to the press release.
“The cause of the fire was an electrical event involving a Tesla Charger,” the FCFRD said.
While electric vehicles present fire risks from lithium-ion battery or charging station malfunctions, existing data collected by the National Transportation Safety Board shows they’re less likely to cause or be involved in a fire than gas-powered or hybrid vehicles.
Tips on ensuring EV equipment is properly installed and maintained can be found from Electrical Safety Foundation International and the U.S. Fire Administration.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation last fall into JuiceBox, a company that manufactured residential EV chargers, in response to reports of fires and other electrical issues.
