Ferrari Dealership Explosion That Nearly Killed Customer Revealed In New Video
Ferrari Quebec Under Fire
Following reports of a Montreal man suing Ferrari Quebec for $20.8 million after suffering second- and third-degree burns at the dealership, CTV News obtained surveillance footage of the fiery incident. The footage showed how quickly the Ferrari became engulfed in flames, with the lawsuit alleging the incident was caused not by mechanical failure, but by negligence on the part of the dealership.
The car previously believed to be involved was a Ferrari 360 Spider, the convertible version of the model. However, the latest footage suggests it may have actually been a 360 Challenge Stradale, the track-focused variant powered by a 425-horsepower V8. In the aftermath, the car's right rear quarter panel could be seen burned, with the fire believed to have originated when the car was started despite the fuel rail and injectors allegedly being removed by a master technician about a month before the incident in 2024.
New Details Emerge
More recent information obtained by the publication suggested that a media statement had been prepared, but was ultimately never released. The report also highlighted how the incident may not have received as much media attention as expected, considering a car exploded inside the dealership and the plaintiff, Richard Papazian, nearly died.
Perhaps the incident would not have received its current level of coverage if Papazian had not sued the dealership. The lawsuit claimed the removal of the fuel-handling components turned the vehicle into a "ticking time bomb," and that the battery was not disconnected, with the keys allegedly left hanging inside the vehicle where anyone could start the engine.
"A reckless and indefensible act of gross negligence," the lawsuit claims.
Ferrari Dream Turns Into Nightmare
Given these details, the incident could be an isolated case, rather than an indication that the Ferrari 360 itself is inherently unsafe. In fact, the model is praised for its design and raw driving characteristics from an era before digitalization began playing a much larger role in the automotive industry.
However, the Ferrari 360 was not originally Papazian's first choice. He had reportedly put down a $20,000 deposit on a 296 GTS that has not yet been returned. The 360 was allegedly recommended to him by the salesperson who was with him when the fiery incident happened. Now, the plaintiff reportedly wants nothing to do with Ferrari, even staying away from Formula 1, which held the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 4:30 AM.