S$230,000 Mercedes electric vehicle catches fire in Woodlands

A Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) apparently caught fire after exiting a car park in Woodlands.

The incident occurred at about 10am on Jul. 21 near the entrance of a multi-storey car park at Block 548 Woodlands Drive 44, which is next to Vista Point.

In photos circulating online, the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Emergency responders and vehicles were also present at the scene.

Thick black smoke could be seen emanating from the vehicle.

Smoke

According to Shin Min Daily News, the vehicle’s owner was present at the scene.

She claimed she purchased the vehicle less than three years ago for over S$230,000.

The vehicle had not shown any issues before the incident, she said.

She claimed that just as she was about to drive out of the car park, she apparently smelled something burning and got out to check the vehicle.

She then saw smoke coming from inside the car and grabbed a small fire extinguisher.

She also called for nearby security guards to help put out the fire, which started between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, where the car battery is believed to be situated underneath the chassis.

She and the security guards attempted to extinguish the fire, but were unsuccessful.

They then alerted the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to the situation.

She claimed the fire spread quickly and she ran away as she feared that the vehicle might explode.

She also apparently heard explosion noises.

In response to queries from Mothership, the SCDF was alerted to the fire at about 10:10am on the day of the incident.

The fire, which involved the interior of an vehicle, was extinguished by SCDF with a water jet.

There were no reported injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

According to Shin Min, the vehicle's interior was completely burned.

The vehicle was eventually towed away at about 12:15pm.

Unexpected

The vehicle owner told Shin Min that she was initially not confident in electric vehicles when they were first launched.

However, after a few years, she felt that the technology was stable and decided to purchase the vehicle.

She said it was “fortunate” that the vehicle caught fire outside the multi-storey car park and not on the expressway,

“I definitely wouldn't have dared to stop, and even if I did, I might not have dared to open the door because of the passing traffic. I would have been trapped inside the car," she said.