2 Workers Hospitalized After Electric Vehicle Fire At Car Dealership In Wallingford: Fire Officials

WALLINGFORD, CT — Two workers were hospitalized after an electric vehicle fire inside the garage at a car dealership in Wallingford on Wednesday, according to officials.

Crews responded around 11:45 a.m. to the area of 800 South Colony Road on the report of a structure fire with an electric vehicle inside the garage at the dealership.

Officials said arriving units found heavy smoke with an “EV battery pack in thermal runaway.”

“The fire was knocked down in the building, and the battery pack was removed to prevent further spread,” fire officials wrote in a news release.

Officials said one worker was hospitalized with burns from the battery pack fire, and a second worker was taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation.

“Due to the hazards posed by chemicals in these type of battery packs this type of incident requires careful operations on scene, as well as coordination of a full decontamination for responders,” officials wrote. “Multiple Hazmat Technicians from the Wallingford Fire Department, and coordination with Connecticut DEEP, managed that aspect of the operation.

“The Wallingford Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Wallingford Police Department, Wallingford Electric Division, Meriden Fire Department, Eversource, Connecticut DEEP, and the CT State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. Mutual aid from the North Haven Fire Department was also utilized throughout the incident for coverage of additional emergencies.”