- Security footage shows the Ferrari Quebec fire that allegedly burned a customer.
- Lawsuit claims missing fuel parts made the Ferrari 360 a fire hazard.
- The victim says the incident ended his love for Ferraris and F1 weekends.
Nearly two years ago, a Ferrari dealership visit turned into a life-altering disaster for Richard Papazian. Now, newly surfaced surveillance footage shows just how severe the fire really was. This wasn’t a small engine fire. The footage shows flames rapidly engulfing the entire car.
On August 7, 2024, Richard Papazain was shopping at Ferrari Quebec. Allegedly, a salesperson wanted to show him a 360 Modena. According to the lawsuit, a salesperson attempted to start the car without realizing parts of its fuel system had been removed. According to CTV News, the episode culminated with some of the raw fuel catching on fire and in the process, Papazain ended up with life-threatening burns.
Read: This Fire-Damaged 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Is Probably Worth More Than Your House
He is now seeking $20.8 million (about from the dealership, Ferrari North America, and Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, alleging the explosion was the result of gross negligence, recklessness, and willful misconduct. Public details around the incident had been thin until now.
The newly released footage exposes just how large the fire really was, appearing to show occupants inside the vehicle with the doors and rear decklid open. Moments later, flames erupt and spread beyond the 360, briefly reaching neighboring cars on the showroom floor.
Papazian suffered second- and third-degree burns across more than 56 percent of his body and spent four weeks in a medically induced coma. The lawsuit claims he endured multiple surgeries, failed skin grafts, kidney complications requiring dialysis, and permanent injuries that continue today.
He also alleges dealership employees were effectively silenced afterward and says he has long questioned why an explosion severe enough to nearly kill someone generated almost no public attention at the time. According to reporting cited in the lawsuit, even a police media statement was allegedly prepared but never publicly released.
The case remains ongoing, and the newly surfaced footage could become a meaningful piece of evidence. As for the plaintiff’s passion for supercars and Ferrari? He says he can’t even enjoy F1 weekend in Montreal anymore. The incident left far more than just physical evidence of the incident.
