Battery explosion causes fire at Cape business

An electric-car battery explosion caused a fire Saturday evening in Cape Girardeau.

The fire started at 6:28 p.m. in the garage of EVTV Motor Verks, 601 Morgan Oak St., which installs lithium batteries and electric motors into motor vehicles.

Cape Girardeau firefighters change air packs while working a fire Saturday night at EVTV Motor Verks, 601 Morgan Oak St. in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Jack Rickard, owner of EVTV Motor Verks, said the fire department quickly put out the fire.

"There was a battery pack being charged. It got overcharged ... then it blew up," he said. "It shot flames up, and we called the fire department right away and they got it shut down."

Cape Girardeau firefighters had the fire was under control in a few minutes after extinguishing hot spots in the building's roof and ceiling. Firefighters from Jackson and Scott City assisted.

The fire caused about $55,000 in damage, according to a report late Saturday from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Nobody was injured in the blaze.

Pertinent address:

601 Morgan Oak St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.