A Tesla Model X in Hollywood, Florida, had a dramatic ending last month when it slid into the ocean and caught fire at a boat launch. The incident took place at the Polk Street Boat Ramp on October 1, where the driver of the Model X had just backed a pair of jet skis into the water. The Hollywood Professional Firefighters’ Facebook page shared a video of the incident.
According to reports, the driver received a warning to exit the car, but the power doors prevented her from doing so. Fortunately, the driver’s husband came to the rescue just in time to save the Model X from sinking into the saltwater and going up in flames. Luckily, no one was injured in the incident.
It is well known that saltwater and electric cars do not mix well. The water can cause lithium-ion batteries to catch fire, and even after the initial fire is extinguished, the minerals left behind can spark fires days or weeks later. In response to this incident, the Hollywood Fire Department chose to let the fire burn underwater until it extinguished itself. They then carefully loaded the vehicle onto a special carrier and followed it with a fire engine to the impound lot, where it will be kept isolated for a few days to prevent re-ignition. EVs have been known to reignite even after the initial fire has been put out.
While it is more likely for an internal combustion engine to catch fire than an EV, battery fires can be particularly challenging to fight. Despite years of development, fire departments still struggle with how to handle EV fires. The usual tactic of denying the fire oxygen does not work with lithium-ion batteries, as they can continue to burn without it. In this case, it is likely that the battery is burning below the water line, along with toxic off-gassing from the battery itself.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the unique challenges involved in fighting fires involving electric vehicles. Fire departments and emergency responders continue to learn and adapt to these situations, working towards effective strategies to safely handle EV fires.
