Electric Vehicle Fire Brings Mutual Aid to Willingboro

Willingboro firefighters and mutual-aid personnel from Westampton Township Emergency Services operated for approximately two and a half hours at an electric vehicle fire involving the vehicle's high-voltage battery.

The incident occurred on September 9, 2026, in Willingboro, New Jersey, where Westampton Township Emergency Services was requested to assist the Willingboro Fire Department. Crews encountered battery involvement requiring extended operations and consideration of the potential for thermal reignition.

Firefighters established a controlled operating area and managed exposures while allowing involved battery cells to burn down. Current Fire Safety Research Institute guidance notes that when battery involvement is confirmed and initial suppression is unsuccessful, crews can use water for exposure protection and to prevent passenger-compartment reignition while monitoring the battery as thermal runaway progresses.

Following fire control, crews coordinated with Flynn's Towing & Recovery to move the damaged vehicle into a heavy-duty container for transportation. The operation was intended to address the possibility of delayed battery reignition following the initial fire.

The incident required approximately two and a half hours of fireground and recovery operations. No extension to nearby structures was reported in the incident account.