Thick smoke rises above the vehicle storage area during the Dalian fire. Credit: CNR Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member Twenty new energy vehicles that appear to be Geely Galaxy A7 sedans were destroyed in a fire in Dalian, China, after a 74-year-old man allegedly ignited accumulated poplar fluff near a parking area, according to CNR. The fire occurred on May 30 in Ganjingzi District, Dalian. Videos from the scene showed multiple vehicles engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising above the parking lot. Firefighters and police responded and extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported. Authorities said the suspect, identified by the surname Wang, noticed large accumulations of poplar fluff near walkways and exercise areas. He allegedly used a lighter to burn some of the fluff, believing it would clear the area. Strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly, igniting vehicles parked nearby. Police have imposed criminal compulsory measures against Wang, and the case remains under investigation. Vehicles in photos appear to match Geely Galaxy A7 Authorities have not disclosed the brands or models involved in the incident and have only described them as 20 new energy vehicles awaiting delivery. However, images circulating online appear to show rows of vehicles consistent with the design of the recently launched Geely Galaxy A7 sedan. Several burned vehicles visible after the fire retain body proportions, lighting signatures, and exterior styling elements that appear to match the model. The vehicles were reportedly awaiting delivery when the fire occurred. Images from the aftermath show several reduced to burned metal structures after flames spread through the closely packed parking area. Poplar fluff can spread fire rapidly Poplar and willow fluff are common across northern China during late spring and early summer. The lightweight fibres can accumulate around roads, parking lots, vegetation, and building entrances. The material contains natural plant oils and has a low ignition threshold. Once ignited, flames can travel quickly through accumulated fluff, particularly during dry and windy conditions. Fire safety specialists warn that even small ignition sources can trigger fast-moving fires that can spread to nearby vehicles, vegetation, or structures. Chinese fire authorities regularly advise against using open flames to remove poplar fluff and instead recommend watering, sweeping, or other non-combustion methods. Latest fire linked to an external ignition source The Dalian incident differs from several vehicle fire cases that attracted attention in China this year. In May, reports emerged of a Wuling Binguo that caught fire while parked during the May Day holiday. The cause of that incident became the focus of subsequent investigation. Earlier this year, Xiaomi publicly responded after a fire involving an SU7 sedan, releasing vehicle data and details about the incident. In the Dalian case, investigators have attributed the fire’s origin to an external ignition source rather than to a vehicle-origin fire. The incident highlights how seasonal combustible materials and human actions can result in significant vehicle losses when large numbers of cars are stored together before delivery. Lawyers cited by Chinese media said Wang’s actions may constitute the criminal offence of negligently causing a fire under Chinese law. Depending on the severity of the consequences, penalties can range from criminal detention to prison sentences. Geely Galaxy sales in China. Credit: China EV DataTracker Geely Galaxy sales context The brand recorded domestic sales of 62,933 vehicles in April 2026, up 0.2% from March but down 14.2% year-on-year, according to China EV DataTracker data. Geely Galaxy sold more than 50,000 vehicles in each of the first four months of 2026, following a peak of 123,047 units in November 2025. Authorities have not disclosed whether the vehicles involved in the Dalian fire were intended for customers in the local market or for customers in other regions. Burned vehicles that appear to be Geely Galaxy A7 sedans remain in a Dalian parking lot.