PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – When electric vehicles are submerged in saltwater floods, they can become a fire hazard. This dangerous lesson was learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Idalia in 2023. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, who oversees the State Fire Marshal’s Office, reported 20 electric vehicle battery fires related to Hurricane Ian’s damage and three related to Hurricane Idalia.
In Pinellas County, two fires occurred after Idalia. One electric vehicle caught fire outside a business in Dunedin due to saltwater flooding its battery, with surveillance video showing smoke, extreme heat, and ultimately flames. Palm Harbor Fire Rescue responded and prevented the fire from spreading.
The following day, another electric vehicle ignited on the back of a tow truck in Pinellas Park. The driver unloaded it as flames erupted. Pinellas Park Firefighter Dan Schultz, who responded to the scene, described the event as “impressive.”
Schultz had not previously encountered an EV lithium-ion battery fire but was briefed by Training Division Chief T.J. Layfield on the differences between electric vehicle fires and those involving gas-powered vehicles.
“With electric vehicle fires, it is tough because the thing that’s actually burning is underneath the vehicle, and we can’t get to the battery pack,” Layfield said. He explained that this is due to a chain event called thermal runaway, wherein saltwater corrodes a battery cell, emits energy, heats up, and moves to the next cell.
To stop the process, it must cool, which requires water – significantly more water than traditional vehicle fires. “On a typical vehicle fire, you can have that thing out with 100-200 gallons. If you have an electric vehicle fire, you’re going to need a water source. You’re going to need a hydrant because it’s going to take thousands,” Layfield explained.
Even with these efforts, there is no guarantee the fire won’t reignite. Southwest Florida firefighters have raised concerns about the potential for further incidents.
