In what circumstances should you not attempt to fight a small fire?

• A. If the high-voltage battery is the source of the fire
• B. If the fire is in the engine compartment
• C. If the fire is small and contained
• D. If you are not wearing PPE

Answer: (A)

When the source of a fire is the high-voltage traction battery, you should not try to fight the fire yourself. High-voltage battery fires are dangerous due to the risk of electric shock, arcing, and thermal runaway, where the battery can re-ignite even after being cooled. The battery pack also can emit toxic gases and may fail explosively if not handled properly. Only trained responders with the right PPE, procedures to isolate the high-voltage system, and appropriate extinguishing methods should intervene. The safest course is to evacuate, keep others away, and call emergency services so professionals can manage the situation. While smaller engine-compartment fires or fires that are truly contained can sometimes be mitigated by trained personnel, the involvement of a high-voltage battery creates a risk that requires specialized handling.