Tesla Catches Fire in Scottsdale: What We Know So Far

A Tesla caught fire in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday morning, February 24, 2023. The fire occurred after the Tesla crashed into Scottsdale building on Paradise Lane. The driver and passenger of the Tesla were not injured in the crash, but the building sustained significant damage.

On Friday morning, a  Tesla electric car caught fire after it crashed into a building in Scottsdale, then caught fire again, while crew tried to tow it away from the scene has closed Scottsdale Road in both directions between Butherus Drive and Greenway-Hayden Loop.

Firefighters quickly put out the car fire after the crash.(Arizona's Family)

According to Scottsdale police, a Tesla driver slammed into a building east of Scottsdale and Cactus roads at 8 a.m. Friday. Witnesses at the scene told Arizona's Family that the driver was trying to park in a parking lot near Scottsdale Road and Paradise Lane but appeared to have used the accelerator pedal rather than the brakes before the car plowed into a building on 74th Place. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed that the fire may have started in the Tesla's battery. Tesla batteries have been known to catch fire in the past, and there have been a number of high-profile cases of Tesla fires in recent years.

In 2018, a Tesla Model S caught fire in Mountain View, California, killing the driver. In 2019, a Tesla Model 3 caught fire in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, injuring the driver and passenger. And in 2020, a Tesla Model Y caught fire in Shanghai, China, killing two people.

According to M.D. Clark, battalion chief with Scottsdale Fire Department, the Tesla flared and caused another fire while being towed. To prevent the fire from spreading further, the vehicle had to be unloaded from the tow truck in the middle of the street.

The recent Tesla fires have raised concerns about the safety of electric vehicles. However, it is important to note that Tesla fires are still relatively rare. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that Teslas are no more likely to catch fire than other types of vehicles.

Despite the rarity of Tesla fires, the recent incidents have highlighted the need for more research into the safety of electric vehicle batteries. It is important to understand the causes of Tesla fires so that steps can be taken to prevent them from happening in the future.

Video Reference ABC 15 Arizona

What to Do If Your Tesla Catches Fire

If your Tesla catches fire, there are a few things you should do:

1. Get out of the car as quickly as possible.
2. If you can, move the car away from other people and objects.
3. Call 911.
4. Do not attempt to put out the fire yourself.

It is important to remember that Tesla batteries can burn for hours, so it is important to evacuate the area and call 911 immediately if your Tesla catches fire.

Tesla Takes Steps to Prevent Fires

Tesla has taken a number of steps to prevent fires in its vehicles. These steps include:

• Using a new battery design that is less likely to catch fire.
• Installing a system that can detect and extinguish fires before they start.
• Offering free fire extinguishers to all Tesla owners.

Tesla is also working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate the cause of the recent Tesla fires. The company is committed to making its vehicles as safe as possible, and it will continue to take steps to prevent fires in the future.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from a Tesla fire:

• Get out of the car as quickly as possible if you see a fire starting.
• Move the car away from other people and objects if possible.
• Call 911 immediately.
• Do not attempt to put out the fire yourself.

It is important to remember that Tesla batteries can burn for hours, so it is important to evacuate the area and call 911 immediately if your Tesla catches fire.

Conclusion

The Tesla fire in Scottsdale is a reminder that electric vehicles are not immune to fires. While Tesla fires are still relatively rare, they have raised concerns about the safety of electric vehicles. It is important to understand the causes of Tesla fires so that steps can be taken to prevent them from happening in the future. Tesla is taking steps to prevent fires in its vehicles, and there are things you can do to protect yourself as well.