Tesla Model X catches fire underwater after boat ramp mishap

A new video has surfaced online showing a Tesla Model X on fire underwater after it reportedly slid down a boat ramp in the United States.

While the exact cause of the mishap is unknown, the driver of the electric car was reportedly reversing a jet ski on a trailer down a boat ramp when they “lost traction.”

The Tesla quickly began to take on water and prompted the driver to get out but they were unable to do so due to the electronically-powered doors failing to open. Thankfully, the driver’s husband was able to open the doors before the vehicle sank.

Several reports suggest that water may have shorted some of the electronics on board the Model X when the car initially reversed into the sea, causing it to malfunction.

Once completely submerged, the EV burst into flames which can be seen rising above the car in a video recorded by eyewitnesses. The cause of the blaze is due to the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery reacting with the saltwater.

The local fire department, Hollywood Professional Firefighters, decided to leave the car submerged for “an extended period of time” until the fire extinguished itself. It was later removed and loaded into a “special carrier” in case the battery reignited – a common occurrence with EV fires.

When set alight, electric car batteries suffer from what is known as ‘thermal runaway’ and can often burn for days on end no matter how much water is used to try and extinguish them.

In the case of this Tesla Model X, we’re just thankful the owner and no one was hurt during the incident.