Tesla catches fire, shutting down Fresno street over lithium battery concerns

A Tesla burst into flames Monday afternoon in central Fresno, shutting down Weber Avenue near Dakota Avenue, as firefighters worked to control a blaze in a lithium battery without using water.

By 8 p.m., Weber was reopened to north and south traffic.

The fire started in a tow yard around 4 p.m., said Battalion Chief Lupe Fernandez. Arriving firefighters quickly realized that shooting water on the battery could cause an explosion, and worked with the tow truck driver to pull the vehicle away from structures. Workers in nearby buildings were also evacuated and the fire department’s hazardous materials team was called in.

Also sent to the scene was a Fresno County environmental health team to test water and air nearby. Fernandez said that by about 5:30 p.m., both appeared to be normal.

Firefighters were not certain whether the fire had completely consumed the battery, so they opted to cautiously watch the car.

Fernandez said lithium batteries pose special problems for firefighters, and there is not yet an industry standard about how to manage such fires. He said it is possible for a battery that appears to be consumed to reignite hours, or even days, later.

This story was originally published October 2, 2023 at 8:06 PM.