Seattle police are investigating a fire that damaged four Tesla Cybertrucks parked in an electric vehicle storage lot late Sunday night. The cause of the fire is unclear, and authorities are exploring whether it was intentional, occurring amid rising tensions and backlash against Tesla and CEO Elon Musk since his political involvement with President Trump. The fire, reported at 11:13 p.m., did not result in injuries or additional damage. Investigations are ongoing by the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This incident follows other attacks on Tesla properties in recent weeks.
Authorities in Seattle are looking into a fire that damaged four Tesla Cybertrucks parked in an electric vehicle storage area late Sunday night.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it is uncertain if it was intentionally set. This incident follows a series of attacks on Tesla, particularly since its CEO, Elon Musk, began advising President Trump.
An emergency call regarding the blaze was received around 11:13 p.m. on Sunday in Seattle’s SoDo industrial neighborhood, according to David Cuerpo, a spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department. Firefighters promptly relocated the four electric vehicles to prevent further flames, and there were no reported injuries or additional damage.
Both the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting inquiries into the fire.
In an email on Monday, Mr. Cuerpo refrained from confirming the type of electric vehicles involved due to the ongoing investigation. However, The Associated Press reported, citing Seattle fire officials, that the damaged vehicles were Tesla Cybertrucks.
Tesla has not yet responded to a request for comment on Monday.
This fire occurred amid increasing backlash against Tesla from those opposing Mr. Musk’s recent political decisions, including significant reductions to federal employment.
Last week, multiple Tesla charging stations were deliberately set ablaze near Boston, followed by gunfire directed at a Tesla dealership in Oregon days later. Over the weekend, several protesters were apprehended during a peaceful demonstration at a Tesla dealership in Lower Manhattan.
Federal prosecutors have also taken action, charging an individual last week with malicious destruction of property and accusing them of spray-painting “Nazi” on the side of a Tesla dealership while also attempting to plant a Molotov cocktail near a vehicle, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado.