Electric Vehicle Blaze in Covina IKEA Parking Structure Triggers Evacuations

A Covina IKEA store and its garage were evacuated on Saturday after an electric vehicle (EV) caught fire. The incident occurred in the store’s underground garage, prompting evacuations and placing the surrounding area under evacuation warnings, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Fortunately, there are no known threats, and the evacuations were a precautionary measure. Experts note that fires from lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in EVs, burn hotter and longer than typical fires, presenting unique challenges for firefighters.