Brantford family seeks answers after Hyundai Kona catches fire in driveway, damaging home

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 13, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

A Brantford, Ontario, family is still struggling with the aftermath of a car fire that destroyed two vehicles and damaged their home nearly five months ago, as the vehicle’s owner continues to seek answers about what caused the blaze.

Irfan Walji said he was awakened by a neighbour’s phone call in the early hours of June 15, warning him that his 2023 Hyundai Kona N was on fire in the driveway and that his family needed to evacuate.

The flames eventually spread to a second vehicle and the family’s garage. Although the house was spared from total destruction, the incident left the family facing extensive repairs and emotional distress.

Walji said his five-year-old daughter has struggled to sleep alone since the incident and continues to bring up the fire.

He said he bought the Hyundai Kona N brand-new from a Brantford dealership and had all its servicing done there. The vehicle had undergone maintenance as recently as June 1, when its knock sensor was replaced. He also said he was unaware of any outstanding recalls.

Brantford police classified the incident as non-suspicious, while the local fire department said investigating vehicle fires is not part of its usual practice.

Walji reported the incident to Transport Canada, which confirmed that its assessment remains ongoing. The department said determining the cause of vehicle fires can be difficult because the flames may destroy important evidence. Possible causes include arson, inadequate maintenance, mechanical or electrical failures, and potential safety defects.

Hyundai Auto Canada also confirmed it was aware of the case but said the information available was insufficient to establish what caused the fire. The automaker added that it had not been contacted by Walji’s insurer or given access to the vehicle for its own investigation.

TD Insurance said it may investigate claims to determine whether another party could be responsible for a loss, depending on the circumstances.

Data provided by Transport Canada showed 1,150 reported vehicle fires between January 2016 and November 3, 2026. Of these, 169 involved Hyundai vehicles, the second-highest number among manufacturers after Ford, which recorded 176 reports.

Transport Canada, however, said it had not identified a trend of similar fire complaints involving Hyundai Kona N vehicles.

Walji said he has spent months researching vehicle recalls and other reported fires in hopes of finding a possible explanation. He is now calling for greater transparency as he waits for the investigation to be completed.

For the family, the uncertainty has made it difficult to move on from an incident that not only destroyed their vehicles but also disrupted their sense of safety at home.