On Friday, June 15, 2018, a 201 Tesla Model S electric-powered passenger car, occupied by a 44-year-old male driver, was traveling westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard, in West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California. Motorists flagged down the Tesla driver because they saw smoke coming from the vehicle. The driver stopped the Tesla next to the north-side curb in the 7800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard and exited the vehicle. A nearby Los Angeles Sheriffs Department patrol car also stopped, and the officers directed traffic around the burning car. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the vehicle fire, dispatching an engine unit from station #8, which is located at 7643 Santa Monica Boulevard. Smoke and flames were still coming from the vehicle as the fire engine arrived on the scene and firefighters, wearing self-contained breathing apparatus, responded to the fire and applied both water and foam. The flames were quickly extinguished, but smoke continued to come from the vehicle. Firefighters removed portions of the vehicle's left front fender and under-hood trim, severed the high voltage cut loop, and applied additional water and foam under the hood and behind the front wheels. The fire captain estimated that less than 300 gallons of water and foam were applied during their response to the event. The fire was extinguished, and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene without incident.
This investigation was initiated to support the NTSB's interest in electric vehicle battery safety and emergency response to electric vehicle thermal events. No investigation report will be issued. Information from this investigation may be used in future Safety Board reports and/or activities.
