Firefighters respond to an electric vehicle fire at a Franklin Tennessee dealership.

 

Fire personnel was called to the Rivian dealership just after 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30th, in downtown Franklin after a fire broke out.

According to officials, the call initially came in as a dumpster fire, but when the first district captain arrived at the scene, he quickly realized three vehicles were on fire, another one was in jeopardy, and flames were penetrating the building.

Even though saving the structure was a top priority, Polenzani added the response was equally as important because the nature of electric vehicle fires can be “potentially stubborn.”

However, officials said the good news is that none of the batteries were breached, causing what is known as “thermal runaway,” which can cause explosions, intense heat and is difficult, if not impossible, to extinguish.

Fire investigators have stated that the cause of the fire appears to have started from a vehicle that was hooked to a charger that ignited and caught the other vehicles on fire.