Bennett Oghifo
The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Lagos Command, has warned motorists and emergency responders that fires involving electric vehicles (EVs) require specialised equipment, training and firefighting techniques, as Nigeria’s adoption of cleaner transportation technologies gathers pace.
The warning was issued by the Chief Superintendent of Fire, Badmus Abdulsamad, while presenting the Lagos Command’s emergency preparedness strategy for electric and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles at the 3rd Auto Industry Summit in Lagos.
Abdulsamad said although battery-electric vehicles were statistically less likely to catch fire than conventional petrol-powered vehicles, incidents involving EVs could pose more complex challenges because of the lithium-ion battery systems powering them.
According to him, one of the major hazards is thermal runaway, a self-sustaining chemical reaction within a battery that produces extreme heat and can spread rapidly from one cell to neighbouring cells.
He said EV battery fires could generate toxic and potentially explosive vapours, create projectile hazards and remain capable of reigniting long after visible flames had been extinguished.
“Firefighters must focus heavily on cooling the battery pack to prevent thermal runaway from spreading,” he said, adding that large quantities of water might be required for prolonged periods to bring such incidents under control.
The fire officer explained that EV fires could occur while vehicles were in motion, parked or undergoing charging, with possible triggers including road crashes, penetration of battery packs by debris, previous mechanical damage, extreme weather conditions and charging faults.
He stressed that the approach to extinguishing an EV fire was significantly different from that used for conventional vehicles.
According to him, damaged electric vehicles could also reignite hours or even days after an incident, posing additional dangers in towing yards, storage facilities and fire stations.
He identified the high-voltage electrical systems in EVs as another major concern, noting that they could remain hazardous even after a crash.
Abdulsamad further warned that burning lithium-ion batteries could release toxic and corrosive substances, including hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.
To reduce the risk of EV-related incidents, the FFS advised owners to use certified charging equipment, properly maintain battery systems, prevent physical damage to battery packs and avoid exposing vehicles to extreme heat.
It also urged motorists to maintain safe distances from buildings when parking and warned members of the public against attempting to extinguish EV battery fires themselves.
Instead, the Service advised occupants and bystanders to evacuate immediately and alert emergency responders.
On CNG-powered vehicles, Abdulsamad said the major risks were associated with the high-pressure cylinders used to store the gas.
He explained that pressure relief devices installed on CNG cylinders were designed to release gas when pressure reached dangerous levels. However, he cautioned that inappropriate intervention during a fire could worsen the situation and potentially result in cylinder rupture and powerful blast effects.
He added that CNG fires could produce pale blue flames that were difficult to see despite generating intense heat, making them particularly dangerous to untrained persons.
Emergency responders, he said, should not approach leaking CNG cylinders without appropriate protective equipment, specialised training and proper risk assessment.
They must also eliminate possible ignition sources while remaining alert to the possibility of cylinder failure.
The FFS advised CNG motorists to install only authorised kits and cylinders through certified dealers and service centres.
It further recommended regular inspection of cylinders, regulators, pipelines and electrical systems to detect leaks, deterioration and other faults capable of triggering fires.
Motorists were also advised against prolonged parking in direct sunlight, smoking or using naked flames around CNG-powered vehicles.
In the event of a CNG vehicle fire, occupants were advised to evacuate immediately, move to a safe distance and inform emergency responders that the vehicle was powered by CNG.
The Service said the Lagos Command was strengthening its capacity to respond to emerging fire risks through the deployment of rapid intervention vehicles, fire bikes, fire trucks and hydraulic platforms.
Abdulsamad added that firefighters were receiving local and international training in basic and advanced firefighting, rescue operations and breathing apparatus procedures.
The Command is also collaborating with state and private fire services, the Nigerian Ports Authority fire department and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, among other strategic partners.
Beyond emergency response, the FFS identified public education as a critical component of its prevention strategy.
Its initiatives include social media campaigns, seminars, workshops, fire drills, annual risk assessments, media engagements and Fire Safety Week activities.
The Service maintained that Nigeria’s transition to cleaner mobility must be matched by specialised emergency-response capabilities, appropriate safety standards and sustained public awareness.
It stressed that as EVs and CNG-powered vehicles become more common on Nigerian roads, motorists, firefighters and members of the public must understand their distinct hazards, warning that conventional firefighting methods may not always be adequate for emergencies involving alternative-energy vehicles.