The Fremantle Highway freighter fire has ignited speculation as much as the ship itself. While some point the finger at electric cars as the culprit, initial investigations reveal a very different reality.
In late July, a major fire broke out on the car freighter Fremantle Highway, destroying much of the new cars on board. Although it has been speculated about a possible origin linked to electric cars, the first inspections call this hypothesis into question as explained by Numerama.
Preventive measures for intact vehicles
Of the 3,800 cars on board, 2,700 were victims of the fire. The heat was so intense that some literally melted into the deck of the ship. However, the cars located on the last four bridges seem to have been spared. But recovering them is complex: before they can be lowered, ecological cleaning is necessary on board to collect and dispose of the dirty water.
Once on the ground, these vehicles will be parked in the port of Eemshaven, on a site specially designed to guarantee their safety. Manufacturers and freight inspectors will then have the daunting task of deciding what to do with these cars. Because, despite an intact exterior appearance, some vehicles could bear the marks of the fire, such as a lingering smell of smoke.
Video from the first day of unloading shows cars driving under their own power, including BMWs and Mercedes, with at least one all-electric BMW iX1 model. However, the exact number of surviving electric cars remains unknown.
Electric cars, victims or innocents?
The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. One of the rare photographs shows a Porsche Taycan, an electric model, completely destroyed. This added fuel to the fire of media rumours. Crucially, electric vehicles were scattered among combustion vehicles, making it difficult to pinpoint the root cause.
Nevertheless, the first inspections revealed an essential information: it is unlikely that electric cars were the cause of this devastating fire. This news contradicts initial speculation and reminds us of the importance of waiting for official results before drawing conclusions.
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