Police investigate possible arson attack at Tesla store

Electric vehicles often face unfair scrutiny for fire incidents, a situation exacerbated by some high-profile cases. Although data shows that electric vehicles are actually less likely to spontaneously ignite than gasoline-powered or hybrid vehicles, public opinion is hard to shake. Still, police and firefighters in Salem, Oregon, are not blaming engineering flaws for a red Model X fire outside a local Tesla dealership. Instead, they believe it was the result of an arson attack.

At around 3:45 a.m. on January 20, authorities were alerted to a fire at a Tesla store. While they were able to extinguish the burning Model X, they were unable to save it from total destruction.

READ: Cybertruck catches fire at Tesla dealership in Georgia hours before Vegas explosion

It’s unclear where the fire started, but an image shared online by Salem police showed much of the Model X’s rear end melted and the rear window shattered. There is no word yet on whether the Tesla battery pack also caught fire.

The glass front door of the Tesla store was also smashed, and police suspected it was an arson case. The store is likely equipped with numerous surveillance cameras and any evidence will be used to identify and capture the perpetrators.

The Salem Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the fire and anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Salem Police Tip Line at 503-588-8477.

This isn’t the only Tesla vehicle to suffer an unfortunate fate in recent weeks. In the early morning of December 31, a Tesla Cybertruck caught fire while parked at a dealership in Georgia. In this case, authorities suspect the fire originated from the vehicle’s battery pack, but the investigation is ongoing.

Photo Credit: Salem Police Department