The video of a black Zeekr 7X electric SUV bursting into flames has been doing the rounds on social media, highlighting the dangers of EV batteries that can experience thermal runaway. The owner, who was close to the vehicle, escaped just in time as sparks began flying in different directions from underneath the SUV.EV fires can be quite violent compared with fires typically seen in internal-combustion vehicles, mainly due to thermal runaway, which occurs when a cell short-circuits and overheats uncontrollably. The overheated cell can then affect nearby cells, causing them to heat up and release more energy, creating a self-sustaining chain reaction that can lead to a serious fire.According to an Instagram post by AsiaOne, the owner was charging the SUV at a charging station in Huzhou, Zhejiang, China, on August 9, when it caught fire. Footage showed the car was parked with its hood lifted up, while the owner appeared to be inspecting the vehicle.AdvertisementAdvertisementSuspecting something was wrong, he went to the other side of the 7X and looked underneath the vehicle. He then began walking away from the SUV when violent flames burst from below the Zeekr and from under the hood, which remained open. Had the owner not walked away from the SUV, he could have suffered serious burns. Soon, the fire intensified, and the area was covered with smoke. The firefighters arrived in no time and doused the flames.Image Credit: @LUOXIANG_PMTQ / XAccording to a report by Car News China, Zeekr responded to the incident on Chinese social media, stating that the 7X SUV in question had been involved in a serious collision and had not been inspected or repaired by an authorized service center since. The cause of the fire is now under investigation.Zeekr officials stated that the power battery, high-voltage system, and vehicle body structure require inspection after a collision, since such a vehicle can be prone to various safety hazards. Considering this incident, the Chinese automaker advised buyers to verify a vehicle's service history when purchasing a used car and also check the power battery and high-voltage system to rule out safety hazards.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Zeekr 7X is currently being sold in Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and a few other parts of the world. It was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2025 after the vehicle scored 90% for child protection and 91% for adult protection.