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PHOENIX – Early Friday morning, several electric semi trucks caught fire in an industrial area near 40th Street and Broadway, prompting a major response from HAZMAT troops in Phoenix and Tempe.
“I just heard an explosion and when I came out all the semis were on fire,” said John Frank.
Lithium ion battery fire burns on Nikola Corporation building, and officials describe the fight as difficult and tricky. Dense black smoke and a strong chemical odor could be detected in the area.
The explosion was caught on camera and four trucks are on fire, according to firefighters. As a precaution, firefighters said we evacuated Nikola Corporation’s headquarters while responders battled the blaze.
Officials say a chemical reaction took place in a truck’s battery, sparking a fire that spread to other vehicles.
According to the Nikola Motor Company, foul play is suspected. According to the company, a vehicle was seen near the trucks just before the flames erupted.
‘Very difficult’
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Firefighters battle a blaze involving electric vehicles after four semi-trucks burst into flames at the Nikola Corporation headquarters in Phoenix. Anita Roman of FOX 10 reports.
Firefighters have been spraying water over the battery fire, but if they stop, they say the flames will flare up again.
“These cells that are packaged in these batteries pack a lot of energy into a small space, so it’s very difficult to put out,” said Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller. “[What] What we are doing right now is cooling down these trucks and preventing an extension.”
Typically, responders sprinkle sand over this type of fire to put it out. That’s not possible in this case because the semi-trailers are so big that they spray as much water as possible to cool the vehicles down.
Around 50 firefighters are on duty.