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Five Nikola electric trucks caught fire at the company’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, according to a tweet by the startup on Friday morning. Authorities immediately launched an arson investigation due to suspicions of foul play.
Firefighters hose down Nikola electric trucks that caught fire at Nikola headquarters in Phoenix, Ariz. (Photo: CNN)
Five Nikola Electric Trucks Caught Fire
The fire was first reported at approximately 4:30 am MT, as confirmed by Phoenix Fire Department captain Todd Keller. As of 8:00 am local time, firefighters were still attempting to cool the battery packs of the five Nikola electric trucks by spraying water on them, CNN reported.
The objective was to move the damaged Nikola electric trucks into large storage bins where they could be covered in sand or water. Fires involving electric vehicle batteries are known to be challenging to control due to the substantial energy stored within them.
In some cases, extinguished fires can reignite through chemical reactions.
The affected Nikola electric trucks were part of a fleet of over 30 vehicles stored at Nikola’s headquarters facility.
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Arson Investigation Launched
The incident has raised suspicions of foul play, as a vehicle was reportedly seen in the area just before the fire broke out. Nikola stated that an investigation is underway, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Captain Keller stated that it was too early to determine whether arson was involved, as the fire department’s investigation is expected to take days or even weeks to complete.
Following the incident, Nikola’s stock price experienced an approximate 8% decline by late afternoon on Friday. Additionally, Nikola has announced significant spending cuts as part of its efforts to improve financial stability.
This is not the first time Nikola has faced scrutiny. In 2020, the company was the target of a critical report by Hindenburg Research, an investment fund known for researching companies, shorting their stock, and publishing reports alleging deficiencies.
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