“We have to rebuild our entire life, I’m exhausted”: her electric car explodes and destroys her entire house

Un nouveau fait divers lié aux voitures électrique. MAXPPP – Jean-Luc Flémal

On May 16, 2024, an electric Renault Zoé exploded in Blagnac. The fire spread to its owner’s family home. The victim shares her story.

The tragedy occurred near Toulouse, in the town of Blagnac. The car belonging to Claire, a 44-year-old mother, caused unexpected heavy damage.

Double Consequences

Around 4 p.m., Claire was fortunately not at the scene, explains La Dépêche. His car exploded while it was plugged into the electric charging station, attached to his home. The consequences are twofold since the flames spread to his house, destroying the entire foundations.

Despite a rapid intervention by the firefighters, the damage is irreparable. It took them nearly 20 hours to put out the fire.“I'm exhausted. We had to empty our entire house, sort everything. Now, we have to rebuild our entire lives,” , Claire confides.

Renault guilty ?

The investigation is still ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident. According to Claire, it is impossible that the explosion was caused by the battery charge, reports La Dépêche. “The car was plugged in, of course, but it wasn't charging because the battery was full”, explains the 44-year-old mother. She has also initiated legal proceedings against the Renault brand.

A disaster that is not good for the French car manufacturer, which was already the victim of a recall of certain vehicles last March. “Battery problems that could cause fires" were pointed out. Enough to create new controversies over the use of electric cars in France.