Photo by: fox13news
A family on Siesta Key survived Hurricane Helene but narrowly escaped when they say a Tesla parked in their garage ignited in the middle of the night.
Most of the Hodges family was in bed when the blaze broke out. But two of their grandchildren stayed up a little past midnight and heard a popping sound coming from the garage and went to see what was going on.
That’s when they discovered what the Hodges describe as a “fireball.”
As fire alarms blared and the family rushed to get outside, they said the car became engulfed in flames in less than a minute.
The Hodges say it took less than 15 minutes for their grandchildren’s bedrooms to collapse in the fire. Shortly afterward, the rest of the home did too.
The Hodges told FOX 13 that they had no idea a small amount of water could cause their car to ignite and reduce their dream home to ashes.
“I’m just glad we’re alive, but everything I’ve…We’ve been married 38 years and everything we put into that house,” said a teary Lisa Hodges. “We built it for our family and it’s all gone.”
The Sarasota County Fire Department whisked the nine-member family and two dogs to safety.
However, the home that the Hodges just moved into after a three-year renovation project is now gone.
Bay Area officials are warning the community about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and saltwater. Whether it’s an electric car, a hybrid, a golf cart, or a scooter, if it uses a lithium-ion battery and it comes in contact with saltwater, it needs to be considered a fire hazard and it should not be in your home or in your garage.
If you are disposing of that battery, you need to make sure it is separated from all trash and other hurricane debris because of the fire risk.
FOX 13 has reached out to Tesla about the recent fires across the Bay Area, but they have not responded.
However, according to Tesla’s website, if a battery has become submerged in salt water, it needs to be treated as though that car has been in an accident. It needs to be inspected before you try to start it again.
The Hodges said they only had a few inches of water in their garage and it was enough to spark the fire.
Fire accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries, emotional trauma, and significant property damage. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the profound impact these incidents can have on victims and their families. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to helping fire accident victims seek the compensation they deserve. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, identifying all potentially liable parties, whether they are landlords, manufacturers, or negligent contractors. With our expertise, we can help you pursue financial recovery for medical bills, property losses, and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been affected by a fire accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Call us today at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation, and let us guide you through this challenging process.
Source: fox13news
