Cybertruck catches fire in Texas after crashing into fire hydrant (video)

[mongo]

When the Model S came out, shortly thereafter there was a high profile battery fire accident after someone ran over a curved piece of metal on the highway and the impact cantilever rocked the metal fragment in a way that it punctured the battery and set it on fire. The next week there was a recall so that they put a titanium plate under all Model S vehicles on the road for extra protection from a road hazard puncture because the media attention was off the charts. I see this as more of the same.

FWIW.

Cheers

It took more than a week to develop the three piece shield and there wasn't an NHTSA recall. "One of the cars struck a three-ball hitch that had apparently broken off from another vehicle; the other hit an unidentified object."

https://www.extremetech.com/cars/17...educe-risk-of-battery-fires-to-virtually-zero

https://www.automotive-fleet.com/117251/nhtsa-closes-investigation-of-tesla-model-s-fires

Sponsored

 

[Tecyber1]

When do you think the Fire department will start using FOAM to put out electrical fires instead of WATER? You have to 'smother' the fire, not just get everything wet. Sure, works on gas cars because it gets rid of the fumes easier, but water and electricity don't mix well... Ever seen sprinklers in a server room?

Yes...yes I have! lol

 

[Crissa]

When do you think the Fire department will start using FOAM to put out electrical fires instead of WATER? You have to 'smother' the fire, not just get everything wet. Sure, works on gas cars because it gets rid of the fumes easier, but water and electricity don't mix well... Ever seen sprinklers in a server room?

Foam doesn't work on battery fires.

The battery contains its own source of oxidizer, the electrolyte. The only way to extinguish them is proper application of a cooling media, usually water.

Improper and you 'it took so much water!' Proper and it still takes alot.

-Crissa

 

[CyberZephyr]

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/cybertruck-catches-fire-in-front-of-bass-pro-shops-in-harlingen/

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Fire crews were at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in Harlingen, Texas where a Tesla Cybertruck caught fire Tuesday.

The crash took place at 4:45 p.m. between Sam’s Club and Bass Pro Shops, off Spur 54 and Bass Pro Drive, when a Cybertruck crashed into a fire hydrant.

Assistant Fire Chief Ruben Balboa said the Cybertruck’s battery ignited after the water from the fire hydrant soaked it.

Witnesses said while the flames and gasses were not visible, the smell of the battery was penetrating the air in the area.

First responders said they thought they had extinguished the flames coming from the Cybertruck, but shortly after stopping the water flow onto the battery, the fire began again.

Authorities have not disclosed if any injuries resulted from the accident — only that a Cybertruck was involved.

Video from eyewitness:

ugh, I hate when these things happen, because then they go viral, and lots of hate erupts from it. *sigh*

 

[FitNess]

I’m just going to add this sticker to my tailgate..

 

[mhaze]

I doubt the water started the fire
More likely the fire became visible after the hydrant started shooting water after the hydrant punctured the pack and cells and after the truck broke the hydrant

Water is conductive, it certainly could cause a battery fire.

 

[JudgeMetal]

What other car fire has this type of attention?

Most cars don’t burst into flames after being dowsed in water.

 

[JudgeMetal]

Two problems that need to be pointed out:

1. Texas
2. Texas Driver

Cope harder.

 

[mongo]

Water is conductive, it certainly could cause a battery fire.

How? What would be burning? The cells are sealed, the connectors are sealed, and water is a poor conductor. The pyrofuse would blow if there was an overcurrent path.
Plus, Cybertruck can handle nearly three feet of water (albeit moreso when in wade more).

 

[HaulingAss]

How? What would be burning? The cells are sealed, the connectors are sealed, and water is a poor conductor. The pyrofuse would blow if there was an overcurrent path.
Plus, Cybertruck can handle nearly three feet of water (albeit moreso when in wade more).

Exactly. It looks like the Cybertruck ran over the hydrant with the right front tire, which lifted the front of the truck and then it came down on the (probably broken and jagged) fire hydrant, penetrating the battery.

Best thing to do:

Walk away from the vehicle and let itself burn itself out. Remove any nearby combustibles or attach a cable to one of the front rescue attachment points and drag it to a safe area.

What not to do:

Create a panic about toxic battery smoke. It's no more toxic than any other type of vehicle fire.

Use a lot of water trying to put it out. It will just flood the area and waste water. Sure, wet down the surrounding area to prevent the fire from spreading, if that is even a concern.

 

[Crissa]

I’m just going to add this sticker to my tailgate..

Batteries are not listed on your chart.

Again, lithium batteries contain their own oxidizer, so your only choice is to reduce the temperature, which a foam or powder extinguisher does not do.

-Crissa

 

[FitNess]

Batteries are not listed on your chart.

Again, lithium batteries contain their own oxidizer, so your only choice is to reduce the temperature, which a foam or powder extinguisher does not do.

-Crissa

A fire like that falls under a Class D or Electrical.

 

[Crissa]

A fire like that falls under a Class D or Electrical.

No, no it would not. Both of those are about interrupting the air flow to the metal, the powder interferes with the combustion by raising the oxygen levels needed.

Again, the battery contains its own oxidizer. And the powder would be ineffective at entering the combustion inside the cells... not to mention would be unable to stop the oxidizer from mixing with the lithium polymers even if it did.

-Crissa

 

[FitNess]

No, no it would not. Both of those are about interrupting the air flow to the metal, the powder interferes with the combustion by raising the oxygen levels needed.

Again, the battery contains its own oxidizer. And the powder would be ineffective at entering the combustion inside the cells... not to mention would be unable to stop the oxidizer from mixing with the lithium polymers even if it did.

-Crissa

Before you mention the oxidizer statement a fourth time I’ll just provide a link and short quote from the Hazmat Compliance Center.

https://www.thecompliancecenter.com/lithium-battery-catches-fire/

“For best results dousing a lithium-ion fire, use a foam extinguisher, CO2, ABC dry chemical,”

All U.S. Navy personnel and every carrier deployed Marine goes through extensive fire fighting training. Once you understand the extreme dangers of a white phosphorous fire, battery fires (though still serious) are considerably more simple.

 

[Crissa]

Before you mention the oxidizer statement a fourth time I’ll just provide a link and short quote from the Hazmat Compliance Center.

https://www.thecompliancecenter.com/lithium-battery-catches-fire/

“For best results dousing a lithium-ion fire, use a foam extinguisher, CO2, ABC dry chemical,”

All U.S. Navy personnel and every carrier deployed Marine goes through extensive fire fighting training. Once you understand the extreme dangers of a white phosphorous fire, battery fires (though still serious) are considerably more simple.

You do understand that a vehicle is different than a battery in a suitcase, right?

-Crissa

Sponsored