Insurer: Tampere Parking-Hall EV Blaze Among World's Largest
An electric-vehicle fire in a Tammela parking hall last year damaged dozens of cars and caused around €3–4 million in losses, making it one of the largest EV fires worldwide.
According to YLE, Pohjola Insurance researcher Riku Kytölä estimates the electric-vehicle blaze that tore through a Tammela parking hall last year damaged dozens of cars and caused losses of about €3–4 million, calling it one of the largest fires of its kind worldwide. The scale was huge.
Jari Nieminen, fire chief at the Pirkanmaa Rescue Department, says the rapid rise in electric and hybrid vehicles has outpaced current building regulations. He wants clearer technical requirements for how charging systems can be cut off and solutions that limit fire spread.
Police criminal inspector Antti Uusipaikka, who attended the scene, warned that battery fires emit highly toxic white smoke that can form acids in the lungs and pose a real danger to bystanders.
Industry experts, including Copart Finland's Henri Huovinen, urge calm, noting statistics show electric cars catch fire less often than petrol cars. They recommend charging outdoors when possible, following safer charging practices, disposing of used batteries at collection points and taping battery terminals to prevent accidental short circuits.
The incident follows earlier reporting about battery fire risks and about higher repair costs for electric vehicles.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at YLE
