DRV10983EVM: ‎DRV10983PWP‎ chip set on fire

We are intending to use the ‎DRV10983PWP‎ chip to drive a BLDC motor and fan for thermal regulation of our product. We have been using the DRV10983EVM as part of the development process. We have also been using the DRV10983QPWPRQ1 chip on some of our prototype boards

So far, two DRV10983 chips on the DRV10983EVM evaluation module have set on fire when powering on the module. Similarly, a DRV10983QPWPRQ1 chip on our controller has set on fire when the controller was powered on.

For all three incidents the fire occurred around pins 21 to 24, when power was switched on. Below are the specific details of the three incidents:

Incident 1:
This was on an unmodified DRV10983EVM. A motor was connected and the voltage was 26 V. 

Incident 2:
This occurred on our prototype controller, with a DRV10983QPWPRQ1. No motor was connected. The voltage was 24 V. 

Incident 3:
This occurred on the same DRV10983EVM module as incident 1, with a new ‎DRV10983PWP‎ chip soldered on. A motor was connected.

We are interested in determining why these incidents happened.