Electric Car Charging Fire Destroys Home and Vehicle, Man Seeks Damages
A man in Khon Kaen Province seeks damages after an electric vehicle charging system fire destroyed his home and car, causing 6.3 million baht in losses, with no compensation plan offered three months after the incident.
A 46-year-old man from Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, filed a complaint on September 28, 2566, after a fire destroyed his home and electric vehicle, with total damage estimated at approximately 6.3 million baht. More than three months have passed since the incident, but he has yet to receive a clear resolution regarding liability and compensation from the manufacturer.
The man explained that he had owned the electric vehicle for about ten months. On the night of the incident, he returned home from an errand and plugged the car in to charge as usual before going to bed. Around 4:30 a.m., he heard his mother calling that a fire had broken out near the front of the house. Upon investigating, he discovered intense electrical arcing at the electric vehicle charging point. The fire spread rapidly, forcing him to evacuate his father and attempt to remove another gasoline-powered vehicle from the garage. The electric vehicle could not be moved due to the advancing flames. Firefighters took approximately 50 minutes to control the blaze. Police forensic officers inspected the scene and collected evidence.
According to the forensic report, the fire originated at the wall behind the carport where the electric vehicle charging system was installed. The fuel source consisted of plastic components from electrical equipment, while the heat source was electrical arcing in the charging system, which caused heat accumulation. The installation contractor had previously inspected the system and confirmed to the power company and related manufacturers that the electrical system and installation work met standards. The man stated that he believes the fire started due to electrical arcing in the charging system that caused heat accumulation, igniting nearby materials and spreading rapidly.
After receiving the fire investigation summary and forensic report, the man is requesting that the charger manufacturer provide a clear answer or set a definite timeline for liability and compensation. The documented damage currently totals approximately 6.3 million baht, covering household members' property, the home structure, and expenses related to demolition and reconstruction. He added that his family is now starting over from scratch and urgently needs the involved parties to discuss and outline a clear compensation plan, as they have received no clear response despite months of follow-up.
