One Tesla Model WILL The Sacramento Fire Department said it “spontaneously caught fire while traveling at high speed” on a California highway. Metro Fire of Sacramento tweeted videos and photos of a white Tesla Model S, showing how a huge amount of water — about 6,000 gallons — was used to put out the blaze. The video shows crews installing a lift below the driver’s side to lift it off the ground, making it easier for firefighters to spray water directly on the large lithium ion the battery the package is mounted under the passenger compartment of the car “as the batteries continue to burn”.
The crews arrived at the Tesla Model S engulfed in flames, nothing unusual before. 2 Fire trucks, water tankers and ladder trucks have been requested for assistance. The teams used the jack to reach the underside to quench and cool the battery. Thousands of gallons were used to extinguish. pic.twitter.com/5dIXxo9hP5
– Sacramento’s Metro Flames (@metrofirepio)
January 29, 2023
Although there were some comments on Twitter suggesting that a different method of extinguishing the fire should be used, the crew successfully extinguished the fire by using the process suggested by Tesla himself. The words Official Tesla Manual: “If the battery catches fire, is exposed to high temperatures, or is generating heat or gas, use a large amount of water to cool the battery. It may take approximately 3,000-8,000 gallons (11,356-30,283 liters) of water, to be applied directly to the battery, to completely extinguish and cool the battery fire; always set up or request an early replenishment of water.” The document continues, “If safety permits, raise or tilt the vehicle for more direct access to the battery.”
It’s worth noting that the majority of vehicle fires reported on US roads involve vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, not battery packs, because National Fire Protection Association explains to Vox. Although EV fires are relatively rare, the methods (as explained by Tesla in the links in the previous paragraph) to put out the flames was different, and the flames were extremely hot, leading to some impressive displays of destruction.
In this particular Tesla Model S fire case, we are pleased to report that no one was seriously injured and the fire was extinguished.
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