The Nikola Motor Company says that they believe that an early morning that destroyed several electric semi trucks was set intentionally.
The Phoenix Fire Department responded to Nikola’s company headquarters at 40th Street and Broadway Road in Phoenix, Arizona, around 5 a.m. on June 23.
Hazardous Materials crews from @PHXFire & @TempeFire are on the scene of multiple electric semi trucks on fire near 40th St and Broadway Rd, please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/RGivsaJAMT
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) June 23, 2023
Crews found four electric semi trucks on fire and worked to control the blaze to prevent it spreading to other trucks.
Nikola Motor Company issued a statement on the vehicle fire, indicating that they have reason to believe that the fire was not an accident:
“Early this morning behind our Phoenix headquarters, a fire occurred which affected multiple battery electric trucks. No one has been injured. Foul play is suspected as a vehicle was seen in the area of the affected trucks just prior to the incident and an investigation is underway. Our team applauds the Phoenix and Tempe Fire Departments for taking quick action and staying on top of the situation. We will release additional information as it becomes available.”
The fire resulted in heavy black smoke and triggered a hazmat response.
Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller told Fox 10 that the electric batteries are posing a problem as crews work to knock down the vehicle fires. “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,” he said.
The incident is under investigation.