Burning transporter blocks B 273: high damage and traffic jam chaos!

Burning transporter blocks B 273: high damage and traffic jam chaos!

A recent vehicle fire caused significant traffic delays on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Loud City report The fire occurred at 3:50 p.m. on the B 273 between the Weinberg settlement and the entrance to Nauen. A RENAULT van had a technical defect in the engine compartment while driving, which led to high levels of heat and ultimately caused the vehicle to burst into flames.

Luckily there were no injuries. However, the fire caused damage worth several thousand euros and the B 273 was completely closed for an hour. After the fire was successfully extinguished, the van was towed away under its own responsibility. The road is currently only accessible in one lane, which continues to keep the traffic situation tense.

Liability issues in the event of vehicle fires

But what happens legally in such a case? A burning vehicle often raises complex liability issues. The Lawyer.de explains that, according to a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on December 12, 2023, not every vehicle fire automatically leads to liability for the owner. Accordingly, the owner is only responsible if the fire is directly related to an operating process or a technical device of the vehicle.

This means that the owner is liable for damage caused by the operation of his vehicle, but not for fires caused by external influences or general wear and tear of materials. In the event of a technical defect like the one experienced by the RENAULT van, the owner could theoretically be held liable if the fire can be proven to have resulted from an operationally relevant component.

Fire statistics and risk assessment

A look at the fire statistics shows that a total of 14,200 cars with comprehensive insurance burned in Germany in 2023. The GDV reports that both combustion and electric cars fall into this balance. Motor vehicle insurers had to raise over 100 million euros for this, with the average cost of a vehicle fire being around 7,100 euros.

While there have long been fears that electric vehicles could pose a higher risk of fire, it turns out that this is not the case. Electric cars generally do not burn more often than their conventional counterparts. However, it is important to keep in mind that fires are often caused by battery problems, particularly thermal runaway. Overheating and chain reactions can lead to fires that are difficult to extinguish.

The challenges faced by the fire brigade in fighting fires should not be underestimated. For electric vehicles, emergency services require special strategies and usually have to use long-term water cooling to extinguish the batteries. Additionally, fighting fires in underground garages is particularly difficult due to smoke and extreme temperatures.

In view of the recent events on the B 273, it is to be hoped that drivers and owners of vehicles, whether electric or combustion engine, always have a good hand in maintaining and checking their vehicles in order to avoid such incidents.