A fire that broke out among multiple electric Cadillacs at a west Fort Worth dealership on Friday afternoon burned for 17 hours before crews finally got it out, leaving behind a scene of scorched vehicles and lingering questions about what started it all. No injuries were reported, but the blaze’s sheer duration has put a spotlight on just how differently lithium-ion battery fires behave compared to a typical car fire.
The fire broke out at Frank Kent Cadillac, located at 3500 W. Loop 820 near Camp Bowie Boulevard, according to wbap.com. Firefighters responded shortly after 4 p.m. Friday to find multiple vehicles engulfed in flames, sending a large column of dark smoke into the sky over the dealership lot. The fire ultimately burned for 17 hours, according to WFAA, a timeline that has raised concerns locally about toxic smoke and public safety.
Engine 23, Quint 23, Engine 18 and Engine 16 were still on scene more than five hours after the initial call, the station’s report notes. The dealership said firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread to neighboring businesses or the surrounding grassland. Even so, the fire was far from finished burning itself out.
Vehicles Were Still Burning Hours Into the Night
A passing motorist reported seeing vehicles still burning at the dealership around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, more than nine hours after the fire was first reported, according to benbrooklife.com. Responding crews said at the time that electric-vehicle battery cells could continue burning for an extended period, and that protecting nearby property remained a priority well into the overnight hours…