Burning van blocks B 273: chaos in traffic!

Burning van blocks B 273: chaos in traffic!

On June 21, 2025, a spectacular incident occurred on the B 273, more precisely between the Weinberg settlement and the entrance to Nauen: a RENAULT van caught fire while driving due to a technical defect in the engine compartment. The fire was reported at 3:50 p.m., which quickly led to high levels of heat that affected the road surface.

The road administration was forced to completely close the B 273 for about an hour in order not to endanger the fire department's extinguishing work. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the material damage caused amounts to several thousand euros. After successfully fighting the fire, the vehicle was towed away under its own responsibility, but the traffic situation remains tense as the road is only accessible in one lane until further notice. The diversion caused additional difficulties in local traffic.

Liability issues in the event of vehicle fires

A vehicle fire often raises many questions, especially when it comes to liability. According to a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on December 12, 2023, not every fire automatically leads to the owner being liable. Rather, there must be a direct connection between the fire and an operation of the vehicle. This means that only fires that occur due to technical defects in operationally relevant components while driving are considered “operational damage”.

The BGH ruled that owner liability no longer applies if the vehicle catches fire due to external influences such as arson or general wear and tear of materials. For injured parties, this means that they must demonstrate the specific connection between the cause of the fire and the operation of the vehicle in order to assert claims for damages. Another interesting point is that automobile liability insurance does not cover vehicle fires; Here it is the partial or fully comprehensive insurance that can cover the damage.

Numbers and statistics

Such incidents are increasing throughout Germany: In 2022, around 12,200 car fires were registered by motor vehicle insurers, which corresponds to an alarming number of over 33 fires per day. The insurance industry paid almost 93 million euros for this, with the average cost of a car fire being over 7,600 euros. Such fires are particularly common around New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, highlighting the need for precautionary measures.

It is also important to know that partially comprehensive insurance compensates for damage caused by vehicle fires, while fully comprehensive insurance also covers accidents caused by yourself. Anyone driving an electric car should note that extinguishing methods differ from those for conventional vehicles, as firefighters often require a large amount of water to cool the battery and stop chemical reactions.

Ultimately, it should be noted that vehicle fires escalate quickly and can therefore pose a danger to other vehicles or even buildings. In this regard, a fire extinguisher in the car could be life-saving not only for the vehicle owner, but also for other road users.

In view of these events and the legal framework, it is advisable for vehicle owners to regularly inform themselves about the technical condition of their cars. A good hand at maintenance can be crucial in an emergency to minimize any damage and liability risks.

In the future, every vehicle owner should also consider insurance options when purchasing a car. Deciding on partial or fully comprehensive insurance could prove to be a valuable investment so that you don't have to be left alone in the event of a vehicle fire.

Further information on liability issues is provided anwalt.de, while statistical data such as annual vehicle fires thisinsurer.de are visible. The detailed reports on the fire in the RENAULT van can be found at cityreport.pnr24-online.de.