Tesla fire closes highway

Firefighters responded to a fire caused by a Tesla car in Bethalto, Illinois, on March 19, forcing firefighters to close the highway for nearly three hours while they tried to prevent the hazardous materials from leading to further problems, according to reports.

The Alton Telegraph in Alton, Illinois reported that a Tesla was heading north on Route 255 in Bethalto when it caught fire around noon, forcing the driver to pull over into the emergency lane.

The people inside the vehicle escaped safely, and crews from the Bethalto Fire Department arrived on scene.

Upon arrival, the publication reported, firefighters found that the lithium-ion battery was on fire at the base of the electric vehicle.

Needing more water to put out the fire, the fire department requested assistance from the Rosewood Heights and Meadowbrook fire departments. The department also requested a tanker truck, as well as the Madison County Hazmat Team.

The publication reported that officials at the scene said the car was in motion when the fire broke out, adding that the battery had reached what is known as "thermal runaway," or a state in which the energy released by the fire causes the temperature to rise.

In August 2023, Verisk Analytics Inc., which publishes risk assessment and reporting analysis, reported that, in theory, electric vehicles do not catch fire as often as combustion engine vehicles, but EV battery fires can burn up to 1,000 times more. °C higher than a combustion engine fire.

"This means that if an electric vehicle catches fire, it poses a greater risk to other objects around it - such as other electric vehicles or cars in a nearby parking lot or building," Verisk wrote.

The company also stated that fires, originating from electric vehicles, can reignite within minutes, hours, days or even weeks after the initial fire is extinguished.

But among these issues, Verisk also reported that EV battery fires can leak toxic chemicals and gases into the environment through the air or through water leakage.

Crews were able to reopen the northbound lanes nearly three hours after the car was removed from the scene and taken to a parking lot, the publication reported.

What is the most effective and safest method of fighting these fires?

An innovative and effective solution for such incidents is the Bridgehill Fire Blanket . This specially designed blanket can be quickly deployed over a burning vehicle, ensuring rapid and effective fire extinguishing by suppressing the flames and cutting off the oxygen supply.

Advantages of using the Bridgehill Fire Blanket:

1. Rapid Intervention : The blanket can be deployed in seconds, ensuring a prompt response in the event of a fire.
2. Temperature Resistance : Made from high-quality materials, the blanket can withstand extreme temperatures, making it ideal for intense battery fires.
3. Reusable : Unlike many traditional fire extinguishing methods, the blanket can be used multiple times, making it an economical long-term investment.
4. No Water or Chemicals : The blanket works without requiring water or chemicals, thus avoiding the risk of contamination or collateral damage.
5. Easy to Use : The compact and intuitive design allows for quick and efficient use even by people without specialized training.

In incidents like the one in Illinois, the use of a fire blanket could have significantly reduced response times and minimized damage to infrastructure and vehicles. In addition, the blanket would have allowed for a rapid resumption of traffic, thus reducing the impact on the local community.

Learn more about the fire blanket for cars or those specifically designed for scooters, bicycles or electric forklifts by accessing the section: Distreo - Fire Blankets