Massive Fire Engulfs Electric Semi Trucks at Nikola Corporation Headquarters in Phoenix

Electric Semi Trucks Catch Fire at Nikola Corporation Headquarters in Phoenix

Published June 23, 2023 6:25AM
Updated 5:20PM

PHOENIX – A fire broke out early Friday morning at the Nikola Corporation headquarters in Phoenix, engulfing several electric semi trucks and triggering a large response from HAZMAT crews in Phoenix and Tempe.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion before seeing the semis ablaze. “I just heard an explosion, and I came out, the semis were all on fire,” said John Frank.

The fire, believed to have been caused by a chemical reaction in one of the truck’s lithium-ion batteries, quickly spread to other vehicles. Fire officials stated that the blaze is difficult and tricky to fight due to the nature of the lithium-ion battery fire.

Thick black smoke and a strong chemical smell permeated the area surrounding the Nikola Corporation building. As a precautionary measure, fire officials evacuated the headquarters while crews battled the flames.

According to the Nikola Motor Company, foul play is suspected. The company claims that a vehicle was seen near the trucks just before the fire started.

Firefighters have been working tirelessly to extinguish the battery fire by spraying water over the burning trucks. They have emphasized the challenge of extinguishing these types of fires due to the high energy density of the lithium-ion batteries. If the water spray stops, the flames are likely to reignite.

Capt. Todd Keller with Phoenix Fire explained, “So these cells that are packed in these batteries, they contain a lot of energy in a small amount of space, so extinguishing these are very difficult. [What] we’re doing right now is that we’re cooling these trucks down and preventing extension.”

Typically, crews would use sand to extinguish this type of fire. However, due to the size of the semis, sand is not a viable option. Firefighters are therefore focusing on spraying as much water as possible to cool down the vehicles.

Approximately 50 firefighters are currently responding to the incident. The situation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to fully contain the fire and investigate the cause.

This incident highlights the potential risks associated with electric vehicles and the challenges faced by firefighters in combating battery fires.

What safety precautions can be taken to prevent or address chemical reactions and fires in electric vehicles, particularly in relation to lithium-ion batteries

Electric Semi Trucks Go Up in Flames at Nikola Corporation Headquarters in Phoenix

Published June 23, 2023 6:25AM

Updated 5:20PM

PHOENIX – A dramatic fire erupted on Friday morning at the Nikola Corporation headquarters in Phoenix, resulting in several electric semi trucks catching fire and prompting a swift response from HAZMAT crews in Phoenix and Tempe.

Eyewitnesses were startled by an explosion before witnessing the semis become engulfed in flames. “I just heard an explosion, and I came out, the semis were all on fire,” recalled John Frank, one of the witnesses.

The fire, believed to have been triggered by a chemical reaction in one of the truck’s lithium-ion batteries, quickly spread to other vehicles in the vicinity. Fire officials have stated that addressing the blaze has been challenging due to the nature of lithium-ion battery fires.

Thick black smoke and a pungent chemical odor filled the air surrounding the Nikola Corporation building. As a precautionary measure, fire officials evacuated the headquarters while firefighting crews battled bravely against the flames.

According to the Nikola Motor Company, foul play is suspected, claiming that a suspicious vehicle was spotted near the trucks just prior to the fire’s outbreak.

Firefighters have been working tirelessly to extinguish the battery fire by dousing the burning trucks with water. They emphasized the difficulty of tackling such fires due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries. The flames are prone to reignite if the water spray ceases.

Capt. Todd Keller of the Phoenix Fire Department explained, “These cells packed in the batteries contain a significant amount of energy in a small space, making extinguishing them very challenging. Currently, we’re focused on cooling down the trucks and preventing the fire from spreading further.”

Typically, sand would be used to put out this type of fire. However, due to the size of the semis, sand is not a viable option. Firefighters are therefore concentrating their efforts on saturating the vehicles with as much water as possible to cool them down.

Approximately 50 firefighters are actively responding to the incident. The situation is still ongoing, and authorities are striving to fully contain the fire while conducting a thorough investigation into its cause.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with electric vehicles and the enormous challenges faced by firefighters in combating battery fires.