SARASOTA, Fla. (CNN) – A Florida family lost their home to a fire when their Tesla burst into flames during Hurricane Helene.
Morgan Hodges says the family’s Tesla Model X Plaid was parked in the garage during the storm Friday in Sarasota. The family shared a Nest video showing the moment the car burst into flames.
When six to eight inches of water entered the garage, the family elevated the car. It was not plugged in at the time of the incident.
Nine people were inside the home when the fire started. At least two were awake and quickly realized the garage was engulfed in flames. Everyone made it out safely, but the home was destroyed.
Electric vehicles can catch fire if they are inundated by saltwater, though the problem is rare, The Associated Press reports. The best way to avoid the issue is keeping these vehicles out of standing water.
Pinellas County officials are advising residents with electric vehicles exposed to saltwater to move them at least 50 feet away from their homes, as they could catch fire in the coming days.
Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. Gray News contributed to this report.