Firefighters: 36,000 gallons of water needed to put out electric car fire on Interstate 65

It took multiple fire departments and 36,000 gallons of water to put out an electric car fire on Interstate 65 in Autauga County on Christmas night — Photo from Pine Level Fire Department

Firefighters with the Pine Level Fire Department say it took 36,000 gallons of water to put out an electric car fire on Interstate 65 in Autauga County.

The fire happened late Christmas night. Pine Level firefighters say they found a Tesla Model Y burning, which required the interstate to be closed. The driver wasn’t hurt.

It took more than an hour to put out the fire.

“This was a first for Autauga County,” the Pine Level Fire Department posted on Facebook.

“Electric vehicle fires are unusual and present unique challenges and dangers to firefighters. These vehicles can reignite hours or days after they are first extinguished. They burn at temperatures exceeding 2500 degrees C. The smoke from these burning electric cars produces hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride gases — both of which are toxic to breathe and require firefighters to wear breathing apparatus.”

Assistance was requested from Marbury, Booth, Independence, White City, Old Kingston and the Verbena fire departments, along with Haynes Ambulance, ALEA, Autauga Co EMA, ALDOT and the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office.