A nearly new electric car erupted in flames while charging at a Nonthaburi home, destroying the vehicle and damaging another. Forensic officers are probing the wall charger as Thailand’s second EV fire in two days raises fresh safety concerns.
A popular brand of electric car erupted in flames while charging at a Nonthaburi home on Wednesday, leaving the vehicle destroyed, damaging a nearby pickup truck and triggering a forensic investigation into whether the fire started at the wall charger. Neighbours reported hearing a soft explosion moments before smoke and flames engulfed the nearly new sedan, while its baffled owner insists the home’s wiring had passed inspection, the dealership-installed charger had shown no faults and the vehicle had never displayed a warning message, as the latest incident places electric vehicle safety under scrutiny following other EV fires in recent weeks.
Fire engulfed a popular brand of electric car while it was charging at a house in Nonthaburi on Wednesday morning. The blaze reduced the vehicle to a burnt shell and damaged a nearby pickup truck. Investigators are now examining whether the fire began at the wall-mounted charger before spreading into the vehicle.
Police from Chaiyaphruek Police Station received the emergency call at 11.30 am on August 5. Officers rushed to a house in Khlong Khoi subdistrict, Pak Kret district.
In response, firefighters from the Khlong Khoi Subdistrict Administrative Organisation dispatched fire engines to the scene without delay.
Firefighters find electric sedan engulfed as flames destroy vehicle and spread to nearby pickup truck
Crews arrived to find the electric sedan completely engulfed inside the property’s garage. Thick smoke was already pouring into the air. Flames were shooting from the vehicle as the fire intensified.
At the same time, a pickup truck parked alongside was threatened by the growing blaze. Firefighters immediately attacked the flames with water from several directions.
The fire was eventually brought under control after between 10 and 20 minutes, according to reports from the scene. By then, however, the electric car had been almost completely destroyed. Moreover, the flames had spread to the pickup truck. Its front section and engine compartment were left badly damaged.
After the fire was extinguished, police secured the property for forensic investigators. Shortly afterwards, specialists from Nonthaburi Provincial Forensic Science began examining the remains. They focused on the destroyed vehicle and the burnt charging equipment.
Notably, investigators found the wall-mounted charging point gutted. Initial findings indicate the fire may have started there. It then appears to have spread into the vehicle before the electric car itself ignited.
Forensic officers focus on destroyed wall charger as investigators trace where the devastating fire began
However, investigators stressed that no final conclusion has been reached. As part of this, forensic officers are carrying out a detailed examination to determine the exact cause.
The 54-year-old owner said he left home that morning to run errands at the Nonthaburi Provincial Government Centre. Before leaving, he connected the vehicle to its wall charger. He also monitored the charging process through a mobile phone application while he was away.
Then everything changed with one telephone call.
His girlfriend contacted him and said the vehicle was on fire. He immediately abandoned his errands and rushed home. By the time he arrived, firefighters were already battling the blaze.
The owner said the electric car left the dealership in April 2025. Before taking delivery, he arranged for the property’s electrical wiring to be professionally inspected. According to him, no faults were found. Likewise, the wall charger supplied and installed by the dealership had never caused concern.
Owner says wiring and dealership wall charger passed checks before fire with no warning messages shown
He also said the vehicle had never displayed warning messages. Nor had it shown any signs of malfunction before the fire.
“This car left the dealership in April 2025,” he said. “Before buying it, we had the electricity company inspect the wiring, and they said there were no problems.”
“The wall charger installed by the dealership was also fine. So I’m confused about how this happened. There were never any warning messages before.”
Meanwhile, neighbours described the dramatic moments before flames consumed the vehicle. Several residents said they were inside their homes when they heard a soft explosion. Although the sound was not particularly loud, it immediately drew attention.
Residents rushed outside and saw heavy smoke rising from the parked electric car. Seconds later, flames burst through the vehicle. Within moments, the fire was fully developed.
Fearing the blaze would spread through the neighbourhood, residents contacted Chaiyaphruek Police Station. They urgently requested firefighters before nearby houses became threatened.
Neighbours hear a soft explosion before smoke and flames trigger calls for firefighters to stop spread
Within about five minutes, a fire engine from the local administration arrived. Firefighters immediately began spraying water onto the burning vehicle. Eventually, they stopped the flames from spreading beyond the immediate area.
Separately, another account provided further details about the moments before the fire.
According to that version, the owner had returned home after driving the vehicle. He connected it to charge before going out for a run. Less than an hour later, he returned and noticed smoke coming from underneath the car.
He bent down to inspect the source of the smoke. However, less than 50 seconds later, an explosion occurred. The electric car immediately burst into flames. He was forced to retreat as the fire rapidly intensified.
Owner says nearly new electric car showed no faults before fire as investigation into cause continues
On another front, the owner said the vehicle had been purchased new almost two years ago. He added that it had mainly been charged at external charging stations rather than at home. Even so, he said it had never developed faults or warning messages. He said he could not explain what had happened.
The owner said he wanted the manufacturer to take responsibility for the damage caused by the fire.
Thailand’s EV sales momentum downside as officials prepare to deal with rising consumer complaints
EV bosses fear as the cars come under the spotlight with two fires in as many days sparking enquiries
Police have not identified the vehicle’s manufacturer in their initial reports. In parallel, forensic officers continued examining the destroyed car and the burnt charging point throughout Wednesday.
They are working to establish where the fire started and how it spread. Until that examination is complete, the cause remains undetermined. No injuries were reported. Nevertheless, the electric car was destroyed and the nearby pickup truck suffered significant fire damage.
Join the Thai News forum, follow Thai Examiner on Facebook here
Receive all our stories as they come out on Telegram here
Follow Thai Examiner here
Further reading:
Government sends strong warning to EV industry after a dramatic surge in consumer complaints
Thaksin wants higher excise duties on EV cars that are simply assembled in Thailand by Chinese firms
EV sector crisis as Chinese firms are trapped between lack of demand and government tax penalties
Thailand changes tack as EV revolution turns into a damp squib with warehouses full of unsold cars
Top Thai insurer says no more new policies for EV cars. Later, it emphasised renewals case by case
Lack of coherence in government policy is the root cause of Thailand’s massive economic problems
