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17 April 2026
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Electric car battery caused massive fire, damaging 100 cars at St Clair County tow lot, USA
On 11 April 2026, a massive fire destroyed or damaged at least 100 cars at a St Clair County tow lot in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. The incident occurred at Patterson Towing LLC while employees were moving vehicles for scrapping. The fire ignited when heavy machinery accidentally struck the battery of a hybrid or electric vehicle, causing it to explode. At least 10 fire departments responded to the scene.
'We had the whole back lot of a tow company on fire," Cahokia Fire Department Deputy Chief Jordan Simmons said. "They were moving vehicles around with heavy equipment and struck the battery on a hybrid vehicle which caused the fire."
At least 10 fire departments responded to the scene, including Midway, Camp Jackson, Cahokia, East St Louis, Prairie Du Pont, Church Road, Alorton, Hollywood Heights, Millstadt and Villa Hills. Deputy Chief Simmons said it took crews at least 8 hours to extinguish the flames.
"The hydrant wasn't enough to supply the amount of water that we needed at the time. We had to call in tankers, and in doing so, we've flown 60 000 gallons of water. About 20 trips, tankers in total," Simmons said.
The owner of the tow lot said an electrical issue sparked the fire and damaged at least 100 cars. The owner told 5 On Your Side that the tow lot mainly contained junk cars being scrapped.
Firefighters said no one was hurt. The fire was contained to the tow lot and did not spread to any buildings.
Source: KSDK
'We had the whole back lot of a tow company on fire," Cahokia Fire Department Deputy Chief Jordan Simmons said. "They were moving vehicles around with heavy equipment and struck the battery on a hybrid vehicle which caused the fire."
At least 10 fire departments responded to the scene, including Midway, Camp Jackson, Cahokia, East St Louis, Prairie Du Pont, Church Road, Alorton, Hollywood Heights, Millstadt and Villa Hills. Deputy Chief Simmons said it took crews at least 8 hours to extinguish the flames.
"The hydrant wasn't enough to supply the amount of water that we needed at the time. We had to call in tankers, and in doing so, we've flown 60 000 gallons of water. About 20 trips, tankers in total," Simmons said.
The owner of the tow lot said an electrical issue sparked the fire and damaged at least 100 cars. The owner told 5 On Your Side that the tow lot mainly contained junk cars being scrapped.
Firefighters said no one was hurt. The fire was contained to the tow lot and did not spread to any buildings.
Source: KSDK
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