Burning hybrid car: hunters save weapons at the last second!

Burning hybrid car: hunters save weapons at the last second!

In the Grafschaft Bentheim district, two hunters from the Netherlands experienced a dangerous adventure on Autobahn 31 on October 20, 2025. Her hybrid SUV, a VW Touareg 3 liter E-Hybrid, caught fire at full speed due to a technical defect. The 61-year-old driver noticed the smoke billowing from the engine compartment and reacted quickly by safely steering the car off the highway and parking on a grass verge.

Thanks to a quick reaction, both occupants were able to retrieve their valuable hunting equipment, weapons and ammunition from the trunk in time before the vehicle completely burst into flames. This reports NDR. It didn't take long for the fire departments from Twist and Groß-Hesepe to be alerted, and around 40 emergency services set about extinguishing the burning vehicle.

A fire that raises many questions

While the fire brigade fought the flames, the Wietmarschen exit was completely closed while the fire was extinguished. After completing police formalities, the hunters were able to take their saved weapons and ammunition with them. However, the vehicle was totaled and had to be removed by a special towing service as it was powered by a special battery that required additional precautions. Loud Northern News The operational keyword was F2, which indicates a vehicle fire.

But what makes hybrid vehicles so susceptible to fire? An analysis of DEKRA highlights that the number of fires in hybrid vehicles is higher than in traditional combustion engines. Technical defects can be the cause. There are three main causes of vehicle fires that pose safety risks in any hybrid vehicle: independent technical defects, battery problems and the risks specific to internal combustion engines. The German Fire Brigade Association has also emphasized that the risk of fire with electric vehicles is no higher than with other types of vehicles, which puts the situation somewhat into perspective.

A positive example of how to behave in an emergency

The hunters and their ability to act quickly underline the importance of acting quickly in emergencies. Positive behavior from other road users helped to form an emergency lane, which enabled the fire department to operate smoothly. Despite the dramatic incident, there were no injuries, which ultimately seems to be a real stroke of luck. Nevertheless, the discussion about the safety of hybrid and electric vehicles remains a hot topic even after this incident.

There will certainly be more to read about the fire protection procedures for these modern vehicles in future reports. After all, it is important to inform not only about the benefits of these technologies, but also about the potential dangers they can pose.