EV catches fire while charging in Walnut Creek: CCFD

(KRON) — The Contra Costa Fire Department said the batteries of an electric vehicle were still off gassing after an underground parking garage blaze was put out in Walnut Creek Wednesday evening.

Contra Costa Fire reported the incident on social media at 5:20 p.m.

The fire involved a 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid vehicle and occurred on the third level of the garage at a building on the 2100 block of N. California Boulevard.

Contra Costa Fire said the vehicle was charging before the flames erupted, with the car owner seeing it all unfold.

Fire crews put the fire out but issued a shelter in place for nearby residents and urged commuters to avoid the area when they discovered that the car batteries were off gassing.

Fire officials updated at 7:04 p.m., “For the next two hours, residents within the area bordered by North California Blvd x Pringle Ave x Riviera Ave x Parkside Dr are advised to shelter in place, with all doors and windows closed, to avoid fumes from the incident.”

There were no reports of any injuries.