‘Unusual’ Tesla fire requires 36,000 gallons of water to put out, US officials say

The lithium-ion battery in the all-electric Tesla Model Y experienced ‘thermal runaway’, which is a chain reaction that causes energy release and leads to uncontrollable increases in temperature. — Reuters

A Tesla engulfed in flames on the side of a highway required firefighters to use 36,000 gallons of water to extinguish the blaze, Alabama officials said.

The fire resulted from a crash at about 11pm on Christmas Day, the Pine Level Fire Department said in a news release the following morning.