Fire on Car Carrier Kills One, Destroys Thousands of Luxury Vehicles
Blaze on Felicity Ace Leaves 3,000 Porsches, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis Consumed
A fire broke out on a massive cargo ship in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, destroying thousands of luxury vehicles and killing one crew member. The Felicity Ace, which was en route from Germany to the United States, caught fire about 90 miles southwest of the Azores. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Statement from Shipping Company
The shipping company, MOL Ship Management, said in a statement that the fire started in a cargo hold containing electric vehicles. The fire quickly spread to other parts of the ship, and the crew was forced to abandon the vessel. One crew member died in the fire, and 22 others were rescued by a nearby tanker.
Multiple Luxury Car Brands Affected
The Felicity Ace was carrying thousands of new cars, including Porsches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, and Audis. The total value of the lost vehicles is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Porsche has confirmed that 1,100 of its vehicles were on board the ship, while Lamborghini has said that 850 of its cars were lost.
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, some experts have suggested that the lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicles may have played a role in the blaze. Electric car fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish, and they can release toxic gases.
Concerns Over Electric Vehicles
The fire on the Felicity Ace has raised concerns about the safety of electric vehicles. Some experts have argued that the batteries in electric cars pose a fire hazard, especially if they are damaged in an accident or exposed to extreme heat. However, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that electric cars are no more likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.
The NFPA recommends that electric car owners take the following precautions to reduce the risk of fire:
- Park your car in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not charge your car in direct sunlight or in a closed garage.
- Inspect your car's charging cord regularly for any damage.
- If you notice any smoke or unusual noises coming from your car, stop driving and contact your local fire department.
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