Around 4:20 am on Sunday, August 18th, a fire broke out in a Carmel Valley family’s home, scorching the garage and front of the home.
Firefighters responded to reports of a house fire in the 11000 block of Nahama Lane. When crews arrived, the garage and second story of the home were a blaze, and a tree in the home’s front yard also caught fire. In videos of the aftermath, the garage door can be seen crumpled on the driveway, melted from the heat of the fire.
The home was filled with smoke, however, the family of five was able to evacuate with their pet dog and rabbit safely.
Firefighters took an aggressive approach to the flames and were able to knock them down quickly, according to the battalion chief. They found a silver Tesla parked inside the garage.
Officials have begun an investigation to determine whether the Tesla parked inside the garage was the cause of the fire.
A total of 35 personnel came together to knock down this house fire, including one truck, one medic, and four engines.
No injuries have been reported.
Possible Avenues of Legal Recourse
“In a devastating situation such as this one, the family may want to explore their legal options,” says partner and attorney, Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber, “Fires caused by electric vehicles are extremely dangerous as EV battery fires can burn 1,000 degrees hotter than a regular combustion engine fire.”
“However, in cases like this, it can be complex to determine liability and may require a full investigation. The family may have grounds to pursue compensation for damages, both economic and non-economic, that the fire caused.”
If the Tesla car is determined to be the cause of the fire, the family may be able to file a product liability claim. Potentially liable parties in this situation may include:
- Vehicle manufacturer – If the Tesla car itself, or its battery system is found to be defective in any way, the manufacturer may be held liable for the damages caused by the fire.
- Charging equipment manufacturer – If a malfunctioning charging unit or its components sparked a fire, the manufacturer of the equipment may be held responsible.
- Installers – If the fire was sparked because the charging system was installed improperly or did not comply with safety standards, the company or contractor responsible for the improper installation may be held responsible.
- Battery supplier – If the fire was sparked by a defective battery, the supplier or manufacturer may be held liable.
These types of claims are often complex, and many times there may be more than one liable party.
If you believe your Tesla sparked a house fire, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today to see how they may be able to help you. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule your free consultation today.
