AURORA, CO — Firefighters in Colorado urged people living near a burning electric vehicle to take immediate smoke precautions after a Tesla caught fire near Arapahoe Road and Waco Street Tuesday morning. South Metro Fire Rescue crews were called to the scene just after 7 a.m. and found heavy black smoke pouring from the vehicle.
As the fire burned, officials asked residents within a half-mile to close windows and doors and turn off HVAC systems as a precaution. Arapahoe Road was shut down in both directions while crews worked to bring the flames under control and keep the area safe.
Investigators trace the fire to an abandoned tow hitch in the roadway
Investigators later said the fire started after a tow hitch left in the road was struck by multiple vehicles. At least four vehicles hit the object, including the Tesla that ended up burning. The impact appears to have set off the chain of events that caused the vehicle to ignite.
The exact sequence mattered because the fire was not treated as an ordinary mechanical problem or battery failure. Instead, investigators identified a roadway hazard as the trigger, underscoring how debris in traffic lanes can lead to serious damage in a matter of moments.
The driver escaped safely and no injuries were reported
Officials said the driver got out of the burning vehicle without being hurt. No injuries were reported at the scene, despite the size of the fire and the amount of smoke visible from the roadway. Emergency crews focused on containing the blaze and making sure the surrounding area remained clear…