A harrowing incident in Lynwood, Washington, has reignited debates about the safety of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly Teslas, after a devastating house fire led to the explosion of two EVs parked in the driveway. The terrifying scene, captured in footage from last year, shows flames engulfing the two Teslas, which subsequently exploded, intensifying the already dangerous situation.

The fire, which caused a family to lose everything, was exacerbated by the presence of ammunition stored in the garage. As the flames spread, the heat caused the ammunition to ignite, sending bullets flying in all directions—a chaotic and life-threatening scenario for both the residents and first responders.

Mark Nguyen, a neighbor who heard the loud explosions, ran outside to see what was happening. “I start freaking out, ran outside. I saw that their house was on fire,” Nguyen recounted. “That’s when I was like, ‘Yeah, I got to get everybody out the house.’” Nguyen’s quick thinking and bravery helped ensure that everyone escaped the blaze safely.

The aftermath of the fire was nothing short of catastrophic. Nguyen described the devastation, saying, “Before they boarded it up, you could see just straight to the back—everything. The walls and ceilings are gone.” Amidst the ruins, firefighters faced a daunting task: extinguishing the smoldering remains of the two Teslas.

Recent years have seen increasing concerns about the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles like Tesla. These batteries are notoriously difficult to extinguish once they catch fire, requiring tens of thousands of gallons of water and posing a significant challenge for fire departments. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted these concerns in a 2020 safety report, pointing out “gaps in safety” and the “inadequacy of vehicle manufacturers’ emergency response guides” for dealing with such fires.

Despite these well-documented dangers, the incident has sparked a heated debate online. Footage of the fire was uploaded to X (formerly Twitter), where some users rushed to defend Tesla, emphasizing that the cars didn’t start the fire and that their high-voltage batteries didn’t ignite. “Wouldn’t surprise me to see headlines like ‘Tesla Involved in House Fire’ without acknowledging the fact that the Teslas didn’t start the fire, and even their HV batteries didn’t ignite. Clickbait at its finest!” one user commented.

Another EV enthusiast downplayed the issue, saying, “Funny how the report focuses on the dangers of runaway lithium battery fires that did not happen, but seems to take the huge amount of stored and burning ammunition for granted. Is this perhaps… the USA?”

However, the fact remains that while the Teslas may not have started the fire, the danger posed by lithium-ion batteries once they ignite is undeniable. These batteries are known to be extremely challenging to put out, and the situation in Lynwood underscores the ongoing risks associated with EVs in emergency situations.

As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to rise, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the safety challenges that come with the territory. Firefighters and first responders need better training and resources to handle EV fires effectively, and manufacturers must take greater responsibility in providing adequate safety information and tools.

The debate over electric vehicle safety is far from over, and as more of these vehicles hit the roads, the need for enhanced safety protocols and public awareness becomes increasingly urgent.