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Tesla Says Garage Fire Not Charger's Fault; Firemen Less Sure

Posted by timothy on from the was-it-plugged-into-8-extension-cords-at-once? dept.

cartechboy writes "It looks like Elon Musk and Tesla Motors find themselves in another PR war over the cause of a fire involving a Tesla Model S. Authorities in Irvine, CA are currently investigating the reason for a fire in a garage that, yes, contained a Tesla Model S. While the actual cause of the fire remains unknown, Tesla Motors and the Orange County Fire Authority are already publicly disputing possible causes, thought to center around the Tesla charging system. Tesla says the fire was not caused by any part of the car nor its charging system, reports Reuters. For what its worth — we've seen a version of this movie before. In 2011, investigators determined that a garage fire that destroyed a Chevrolet Volt had started away from the car, later spreading to engulf and destroy the car."

7 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Musk's Hubris... by mythosaz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is where Musk's Hubris is going to be a problem.

    There's no way that he can know for sure what happened in the fire, and he's going to risk having to eat crow -- lots and lots of crow -- if he's proven wrong.

    I love the guy, but hubris is clearly among his worst qualities.

    1. Re:Musk's Hubris... by hsmith · · Score: 4, Insightful

      More annoying is anything having to do with Tesla is apparently news. Car crashes? Front page news!

    2. Re:Musk's Hubris... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      When it's a fledgling industry who successes or failures could have ramifications for years to come, and who has people actively trying to discredit, because it's success will damage their outdated business model, than yes, it's news.

    3. Re:Musk's Hubris... by ackthpt · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This is where Musk's Hubris is going to be a problem.

      There's no way that he can know for sure what happened in the fire, and he's going to risk having to eat crow -- lots and lots of crow -- if he's proven wrong.

      I love the guy, but hubris is clearly among his worst qualities.

      You're charging it wrong.

      What I find completely unbelievable in this story is that someone in California actually has their car in a garage.

      Your garage is where you keep all the stuff you can't fit into the house.

      The street is where you keep your car.

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    4. Re:Musk's Hubris... by mythosaz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The conspiracy of the mainstream media to hide the dangers of aluminum wiring from us?

      Sounds like the sort of thing I might have in my house that could kill my children... ...tonight at 11.

  2. On the other hand by suso · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Garage fires aren't a very common topic on Slashdot.

  3. uh thtats suposed to b news ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    No. Them (Tesla company) stating/admitting that the fire COULD have been caused by the Battery Charger would have been actual news.

    Them blanket declaring it wasnt is standard Lawyers/Management Told Us To stuff.

    I talked to a fireman years ago about these issues with electric cars and he said they all were worried about various aspects they would have to deal with when they became more common - electric shock potential, energy density (the stuff is like an explosive), new toxic chemicals in large amounts, etc..

    Not to worry Im sure insurance companies will love putting up their rates for these vehicles as their problems become more commonly understood (yet another thing the advocates wont be telling you).