Firefighters in Newton Abbot were called out this afternoon to reports of a vehicle fire, only to discover the scene was in fact a road traffic collision (RTC) involving an electric car that had crashed into a residential garden shed.

The incident occurred after the car smashed through a low brick wall and came to a stop in the rear garden of a local property. Crews from Newton Abbot fire station attended with one appliance.

High-Voltage Safety Measures

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all occupants were safely out of the vehicle before emergency services arrived.

Given the vehicle was electric, firefighters used their Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) to locate the killswitches and high-voltage system isolators specific to the car model.

Due to the damage sustained in the collision, fire crews used cutting and spreading tools to remove the bonnet and safely access the electric components. This allowed them to de-energise the vehicle and secure the scene.

Fire Service Statement

A Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue spokesperson said:

“Crews acted quickly to identify the high-voltage hazards involved and used specialist equipment to make the vehicle safe.
We’re thankful no one was injured, and we remind the public to take extra caution around electric vehicles following a collision.”