2023-12-28 20:30:00
A South Shore resident warns Toyota RAV4 owners after a fire, which broke out in the middle of the night in the vehicle subject to a major recall, almost spread to the family home .
It was a rather rude awakening that Emily-Ann Grégoire, her husband and their three children experienced on December 18 around 4 a.m., when firefighters showed up at their home in Longueuil.
“I was sleeping with my little baby and it started to come flying through the door,” explains the mother who recently gave birth. I was wondering what was going on and when I opened the door, I saw that there was a lot of noise.”
Emily-Ann Grégoire was woken up by the firefighters at 4 a.m., while her Toyota RAV4 was on fire in her parking lot. PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
His Toyota RAV4, parked in his driveway, was in flames, members of the Longueuil agglomeration fire safety service (SSIAL) explained to him.
Firefighters concluded that the fire was of “electrical” origin. PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
The blaze left the SUV no chance, which was a total loss. The images taken by Ms. Grégoire, which show the completely charred interior, speak for themselves.
The interior of the vehicle, completely charred. PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
Fortunately, a stranger called 911 at a time when few people are normally up.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
“The firefighters told me that if they had arrived later […] the house would have caught fire,” continues Ms. Grégoire.
The fire melted the temporary shelter and could have spread to the house. PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
“It scared me. My children have little trees in their room and I went to unplug them. I walk around the house twice before going to bed,” continues the 31-year-old educator.
Emily-Ann Grégoire PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
Major reminder
This event comes a few weeks after Toyota issued a recall targeting Toyota RAV4 models from 2013 to 2018.
The Japanese automobile giant launched this notice at the beginning of last November, letting it be known that replacing the battery with a smaller one presented a fire risk. More than 2 million RAV4s are affected in North America, including 249,000 in Canada.
Two million Toyota RAV4s, including the 2013 model seen in this photo, are being recalled in North America. COURTESY TOYOTA
This decision follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States which identified 11 cases of fires in RAV4s, including four when the vehicles were stationary.
“This is a major recall which targets the entire previous generation of the RAV4,” says Guillaume Rivard, collaborator of the Car guide. It is the best-selling SUV in both the United States and Canada.”
“Don’t take it lightly”
Ms. Grégoire, who purchased her RAV4 used in 2021, says she does not know whether her vehicle’s battery had been replaced before its acquisition.
The SSIAL firefighters nevertheless concluded that the fire was of “electrical” origin, indicated to the Journal Stéphane Di Fruscia, head of information operations division.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY-ANN GRÉGOIRE
While awaiting the conclusions of the insurance claims investigation, Emily-Ann Grégoire recommends that the thousands of Quebecers affected by the recall carry out the necessary checks.
“Contact Toyota and if you have received the recall, this should not be taken lightly.”
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