BYD Shenzhen Blaze: Investigation Rules Out Battery Defects Amid Industrial Fire

Fire Breaks Out at BYD Shenzhen Facility​

A fire erupted at the electric vehicle manufacturer BYD’s industrial park in Shenzhen on Tuesday morning, sending thick black smoke into the air. The blaze occurred at the company's global headquarters located in Shenzhen’s Pingshan district.

According to BYD, the fire originated within a parking garage area. This area was used for the storage of both test vehicles and scrapped units. Emergency teams were quickly deployed, with fire trucks and police personnel rushing to the multi-storey structure.

The incident required significant effort from emergency services. Teams worked rapidly to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further within the large facility. Critically, the company confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported at the site.

Local Authorities Attribute Fire to External Construction Activity​

Initial findings from local fire authorities, corroborated by BYD, focused on determining the cause of the fire. The investigation concluded that the blaze was triggered by improper external construction activity.

The company emphasized that there was no evidence pointing toward internal safety defects or self-ignition within BYD's mass-produced vehicles. Authorities and BYD made concerted efforts to reassure the public about the nature of the event.

They stressed that the incident was purely operational in nature. Furthermore, officials confirmed that the incident did not affect customer vehicles or pose a broader, systemic safety risk.

BYD Addresses Public Concerns Amidst Past Reports​

The latest industrial event occurs against a backdrop of previous reports concerning BYD vehicles. These past incidents include a notable fire involving a Qin Pro model in Beijing back in 2021.

Earlier cases were also reported in 2020 across locations including Shenzhen, Yantai, and Yuncheng. In a different instance in September 2023, a BYD ATTO 3 in Thailand was observed emitting smoke while charging.

However, the investigation into the 2023 Thailand case later attributed the issue to a damaged wire connected to the 12-volt battery. This damage led to heat buildup and refrigerant leakage, clarifying that it was not an actual vehicle fire.

Operational Impact Remains Low on BYD’s Outlook​

Despite the visual impact and the ongoing investigation, the firm stated that the latest incident is unlikely to have a significant impact on its core operations. The company maintained its commitment to addressing the event as isolated.