- A Mercedes EQE ignited a massive fire at a South Korean apartment complex.
- The fully electric sedan burst into flames while parked and not charging.
- 20 residents and one firefighter were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
A Mercedes-Benz EQE electric sedan exploded in a South Korean apartment complex parking lot, igniting a massive fire. The toxic fumes sent 21 people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and damaged 70 other vehicles.
The incident occurred in Incheon, South Korea, and was captured on CCTV footage from the underground parking lot. The fully electric sedan can be seen emitting white smoke while parked and not charging, likely from the floor-mounted battery. Moments later, the EQE erupts into flames, which then spread to nearby vehicles.
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According to the Incheon Fire Department, the fire broke out around 6:15 am on the first basement floor of the apartment complex. A total of 177 emergency responders and 80 pieces of equipment were deployed to the scene. Local media reported that it took 8 hours to extinguish the fire. Electric vehicle fires are notoriously difficult to manage, though they occur less frequently than those in ICE-powered vehicles
Due to heavy smoke, a total of 209 residents had to evacuate their apartments, with nearly half being rescued by firefighters from stairs and balconies. Twenty residents, including seven infants and children under 10, were hospitalized after inhaling smoke, along with one firefighter.
A spokesperson from the local arm of Mercedes-Benz spoke to the Korea JoongAng Daily about the incident: “We can’t confirm details about the exact model and batteries at the moment. We are taking this very seriously and will do our best to collaborate with fire authorities to determine the exact cause.”
The police and fire department have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Experts speculate that the EV might have been involved in a collision before the incident, which could have damaged the battery and led to overheating. While Mercedes has not confirmed this, the EQE sedan uses a CATL-sourced lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 90.6 kWh.
The fire reportedly damaged around 70 nearby vehicles and sent black smoke billowing into the sky. The complex, which includes 1,581 apartments in 14 buildings, prompted 197 emergency calls to the fire department.
