
Tesla catching fire in family’s garage during Hurricane Helene used as warning about EVs and flooding
By onAnnouncements | Technology
An electric vehicle (EV) that caught fire in a Florida resident’s garage during Hurricane Helene flooding last week has brought attention to EV fire risks.
CNN reports Morgan Hodges, of Sarasota, said he raised the vehicle after about 6 to 8 inches of water came into the garage Friday. The video doesn’t say how he raised the vehicle.
The unplugged Tesla Model X Plaid caught fire as the water was receding from the garage, CNN says.
Hodges told Fox35 Orlando Tuesday that most of the family had went to bed for the night. Two grandchildren who remained awake heard a strange sound in the garage and went to investigate.
The grandchildren were met with a “fireball” the TV station says.
“As fire alarms blared, they rushed to evacuate everyone,” the article says. “The car was fully engulfed in less than a minute. Within 15 minutes, the fire spread, collapsing the grandchildren’s bedrooms into the flames.”
Some county officials in Florida were advising residents with EVs exposed to saltwater to move their vehicles at least 50 yards from residential structures as they could catch fire in coming days, according to multiple media sources.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also warned EV residents to get their vehicles to higher ground ahead of Hurricane Helene to avoid the risk of fire, according to USA Today.
Tesla’s website also advises owners to move their vehicle to higher ground or a location that is not at risk ahead of any submersion event that is forecast.
The company also advises owners to take these steps if their vehicle is submerged under water:
Treat your vehicle as if it has been in an accident and contact your insurance company.
Do not attempt to operate the vehicle until an authorized shop has inspected it.
Safely tow or move the vehicle at least 50 ft (15 m) from structures or other combustible materials such as other cars and personal property.
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