PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A car fire in Lower Merion Tuesday night has raised safety questions about Tesla’s new Model S Plaid, which became available this month.
Lower Merion Fire Chief Chas McGarvey said the Tesla owner noticed smoke coming from the rear of his car as he was driving it Tuesday night.
He reported having trouble opening the driver's side door, but was able to get out as the smoke turned into flames and consumed the car with surprising speed.
"They’re made of plastic and electric, so they go up quick and it looks spectacular in a way, but when we got there, the vehicle was fully involved," said McGarvey.
"It was so burnt, we couldn’t do a proper investigation into it. There’s really nothing left.
McGarvey said, luckily, the Gladwyne fire chief was specially trained on Tesla fires. They poured water on it for more than two hours to be sure it would not re-ignite.
"There’s over 7,000 batteries below the passenger compartment that you’re sitting on (as you are) driving. There’s a first responders loop that you cut that supposedly will disengage the electricity, but they still remain charged," he said.
What was left of the car was stored outside in case it re-ignited, which has happened in other cases.
Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. McGarvey says the company will be investigating the fire, along with the owner’s insurance company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The car’s base price is $130,000. Only 25 of them have been delivered so far.
Related
