A firefighter in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, suffered cardiac arrest while responding to a fire at a vehicle inspection center on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The incident underscores the growing challenges faced by emergency responders dealing with fires involving increasingly complex vehicle technology, particularly electric vehicles (EVs).
The fire at the vehicle inspection center is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the risks associated with EV fires. While the cause of the fire at the inspection center remains under investigation, the broader context points to a need for enhanced training and updated protocols for firefighters and other first responders. A separate fire broke out on October 10, 2024, at a restaurant in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, and was extinguished within an hour, with no casualties reported, demonstrating the fire department’s capacity to respond, but also the frequency of incidents in the region.
The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly released an “Electric Vehicle Fire/Rescue Response Operations Guide” in July 2025, acknowledging the limited credible guidance available for emergency responders dealing with EV incidents. The guide addresses the dynamic nature of battery technology and EV manufacturing, which present “substantial challenges in effectively managing EV fires.” The agencies recognize “substantial gaps in the science available to inform safe and effective approaches for identifying, confining and extinguishing EV fires.”
The challenges stem from several factors. Significant differences exist in battery types, chemistry, location, and size across different EV brands, models, and years. Existing tactics, tools, and procedures for addressing vehicle fires are not always based on scientific evidence, necessitating a continuous learning approach for first responders. Ongoing research, sponsored by government agencies, battery manufacturers, automobile companies, academic institutions, and not-for-profit researchers, aims to close these knowledge gaps and develop evidence-based strategies.
A video captured by the South Davis Metro Fire Service on November 28, 2025, and widely circulated, demonstrated the speed and intensity with which EV fires can escalate. This visual evidence reinforces the urgency for improved response protocols. The incident highlighted the need for specialized training and equipment to handle the unique characteristics of EV battery fires, which can be difficult to extinguish and may reignite.
The lack of standardized guidance extends beyond fire suppression. The guide released by the U.S. Fire Administration and NHTSA also emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges faced by emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, towing operators, and the automotive recovery industry. A coordinated response is crucial, given the potential for hazardous materials and the complexities of safely handling damaged EVs.
The evolving landscape of EV technology demands continuous adaptation. First and second responders must stay informed about evolving strategies and tactics for managing EV incidents as new, evidence-based information becomes available. This includes understanding the specific risks associated with different battery chemistries – such as lithium-ion – and the potential for thermal runaway, a process where a battery cell enters an uncontrollable self-heating state.
Manufacturers are reportedly providing resources to assist emergency responders, but a centralized, standardized approach is critical. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has acknowledged the need for guidance, releasing a bulletin intended to guide pre-response, response, and post-event actions related to electrical vehicle fires. The IAFC hopes What we have is the first of many bulletins aimed at providing resources to its membership as the work environment for firefighters continues to evolve.
The incident in Goyang, and the broader trend of increasing EV fires, raises questions about the potential financial implications for insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, and the emergency services sector. Increased training costs, specialized equipment purchases, and potential liabilities associated with EV fires could put a strain on resources. Public perception of EV safety could be impacted, potentially affecting adoption rates.
While the long-term economic effects remain to be seen, the immediate priority is ensuring the safety of first responders and the public. The release of the U.S. Fire Administration and NHTSA guide represents a crucial step in addressing the challenges posed by EV fires, but ongoing research, collaboration between stakeholders, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential to mitigate the risks and ensure a safe transition to a more electrified transportation future.
