A car accident in a garage in Alcorcón, Madrid, on Wednesday afternoon, April 2, led to a fire that tragically claimed the lives of two firefighters and left another in critical condition due to severe burns. While the incident has raised concerns about the safety of electric and hybrid vehicles, experts stress that such events remain rare.

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The Accident and the Fire

At around 4:30 p.m., a resident entering the garage of a building on Lilos Street lost control of their vehicle, causing it to crash. The car quickly caught fire, and witnesses reported hearing an explosion, which caused the flames to spread rapidly. Emergency services responded promptly, but the fire caused significant damage.

Incendio en un garaje de Alcorcón.#SUMMA112 confirma el fallecimiento de dos bomberos de Alcorcón y atiende a otros tres, uno de ellos grave.

Varias dotaciones de #BomberosCM acuden en apoyo. pic.twitter.com/otkXRRfOcd

— 112 Comunidad de Madrid (@112cmadrid) April 2, 2025

Firefighter Casualties

Sadly, two firefighters from the Alcorcón Fire Department lost their lives while trying to contain the blaze. Among the firefighters who responded to the emergency, 27-year-old Sergio Benavente and 34-year-old Jesús Aguilar lost their lives. According to reports, one firefighter lost his life in the blaze, while the other, who was soon to become a father, succumbed to toxic gas inhalation. Another firefighter suffered severe burns and remains in critical condition at Getafe Hospital.

In addition, fourteen other firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation, and a local resident was also hospitalized.

Madrid Honors the Fallen Firefighters

In a show of respect, the Community of Madrid held a five-minute silence in memory of the fallen firefighters. The tribute, led by Regional Minister Carlos Novillo, took place in Plaza de España, in front of the Alcorcón Town Hall and at other points throughout Madrid.

👉 #Alcorcón ha guardado 5 minutos de silencio en la Plaza de España frente al Ayuntamiento en señal de respeto y memoria de los bomberos fallecidos pic.twitter.com/uijgtpieOr

— Ayuntamiento de Alcorcón (@AytoAlcorcon) April 3, 2025

Was It an Electric Vehicle?

There have been reports suggesting that the car involved was either an electric or Hybrid vehicle, but this has not been confirmed by authorities. María Muñoz, a spokesperson for the National Police, explained that the garage remains inaccessible due to the intense heat, making it difficult to confirm the exact details of the vehicle and fire.

This tragic incident has reignited the debate about the safety of electric and hybrid cars, especially in relation to their batteries. While these vehicles are known for their environmental benefits, some have raised concerns about their fire risk, particularly if the battery is damaged in an accident.

Electric vs. Hybrid Car Fires

While any vehicle can catch fire, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Data from AutoInsuranceEZ shows that hybrid vehicles actually have the highest fire risk per 100,000 sales, followed by gasoline vehicles. Electric cars, on the other hand, have the lowest rate of fires, with only 25 fires per 100,000 electric vehicle sales.

Despite the lower frequency of fires in electric vehicles, they can be more costly to repair due to the complexity of their battery systems. This can impact insurance rates, though electric car fires are still rare compared to gasoline and hybrid vehicles.

The Bigger Picture

Experts agree that the overall risk of a fire in these vehicles is still quite low. Manufacturers continue to improve safety features, and incidents like these are rare.

The Alcorcón community has been deeply impacted by this event, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing safety measures for all types of vehicles.

Main image: X/112comunidaddemadrid