A family in Sanford, Florida, narrowly escaped a house fire early Tuesday morning that appears to have started at their Tesla charging station. The blaze destroyed their home and vehicle, leaving them traumatized but safe. Officials are investigating the cause while issuing warnings about lithium-ion battery safety.
The fire broke out around 5 a.m. Tuesday at the Raky family's home at 331 Appaloosa Court in Sanford. Mina Raky heard popping and crackling sounds, entered the garage, and saw black smoke pouring from the bottom of his Tesla Model Y, which was charging at the time. "I saw black smoke coming out, black smoke coming out from everywhere," Raky told WESH 2.
Raky rushed to evacuate his wife and four children. His oldest daughter, Lily, attempted to find her brother but lost visibility in the smoke. "After I walk into his room, that is where I lose all sight, I can't feel my body anymore," she said. Lily jumped from a second-story window, landing on the screen porch roof before reaching the ground safely. The rest of the family escaped unharmed, though Lily was taken to the hospital.
A Sanford police officer re-entered the burning home to rescue the family's dog, Leo, who was later treated at a veterinary clinic. "I saw him crying the last time," Mina Raky said, haunted by the memory. "I'm glad he's out; then there's hope."
The home was destroyed, with the garage completely gutted and the Tesla burned beyond recognition. A Sanford Fire Department report states, "the origin of the fire was found to be at or around the Tesla charging station in the garage." Fire Marshal Matt Minnetto noted that the cause remains under investigation. The charging station was installed through Florida Power & Light Company's (FPL) Evolution program, which requires a monthly fee from homeowners.
FPL issued a statement: "At Florida Power & Light Company, safety is our top priority. We are aware of the incident that occurred at 331 Appaloosa Court. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. For more information, please contact the Sanford Fire Department."
Minnetto emphasized lithium-ion battery risks, common in electric vehicles and devices. He warned that EV fires often stem from improperly installed charging stations by unlicensed contractors. Safety tips include avoiding overcharging, using original chargers, placing devices on hard, flat surfaces away from bedding, checking for damage like swelling or frayed wires, and installing smoke detectors nearby. WESH 2 reached out to Tesla but received no response. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Raky family.