Flames Where Supercars Sleep
Calgary Herald reported that a high-end auto shop caught fire in South Calgary, Canada, on Monday. The incident began around 4:30 a.m., with the Calgary Fire Department responding with as many as 75 firefighters and 25 fire trucks to contain the blaze. Reports indicate that hybrid or electric vehicles may have been involved, which can make fires more difficult to extinguish because lithium-ion battery packs can pose a thermal runaway risk. However, the exact models and number of vehicles affected remain unclear.
The aforementioned auto shop is Kulu Motorcar, which, according to its “Past Sales” section, has sold high-end cars such as a second-generation Acura NSX and a 2019 Aston Martin Vantage. Next to it was Tunerworks, a tuning shop that was also impacted. Tunerworks offers several services, including aftermarket wheel installation and performance tuning.
What The Businesses Are Saying
Both shops have already addressed the incident. Kulu Motorcar announced on its official website that it will be closed until further notice due to the recent fire. Meanwhile, Tunerworks wrote on Instagram that the fire started in a building beside its showroom. The tuning company also assured customers that no client-owned cars were affected, though its office and showroom sustained damage from the fire and water used during the firefighting efforts.
Given that Kulu Motorcar deals in high-end vehicles, the losses could reach millions of dollars. The shop may file a commercial insurance claim, which, depending on the findings, could help cover the cost of building repairs and damaged inventory vehicles. However, as of this writing, the origin of the fire remains under investigation.
The Challenge Of EV Fires
The incident highlights the dangers posed by high-voltage batteries in a fire, as seen in previous EV incidents, such as the Tesla Model S, where firefighters had to create a water pit to submerge the vehicleto extinguish the blaze. Calgary Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Cowan said fires involving EV batteries can require large volumes of water to cool them and stop thermal runaway, while also emphasizing the importance of water conservation measures.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the fire broke out before work hours.
