One person was tragically killed and at least seven others were injured in a devastating incident that occurred outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The cause of the incident was a fire that engulfed a Tesla Cybertruck parked near the hotel entrance. The blaze was reported around 8:40 a.m. and was eventually extinguished by firefighters.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal confirmed that both police and fire officials are currently investigating the incident. Video footage captured from inside the hotel lobby shows the Cybertruck ablaze just outside the hotel doors. The fire is believed to have started in or near the hotel valet area.
Unfortunately, one person lost their life in the incident, and several others sustained injuries. The deceased individual was found inside the burning Cybertruck. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it is unclear whether any other vehicles were involved in the incident.
New CCTV footage shared on X shows the Cybertruck parked behind a white pickup truck outside the hotel entrance. The video captured the moment the Cybertruck exploded, sending debris flying and filling the area with smoke. There were also reports of secondary explosions, possibly from fireworks or explosive devices carried by the truck.
The incident gained significant attention on social media due to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s close ties with President-elect Donald Trump. However, it has not been determined whether the fire was intentional or accidental. Electric vehicle fires are less common than those involving gasoline-powered cars, but they pose unique challenges due to the batteries involved.
In an update at 4:30 p.m. EST, Musk claimed on X that the explosion was caused by fireworks or an explosive device carried in the Cybertruck, not by the vehicle itself. He stated that all vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.
This is a developing story, and more details will be provided as they emerge. For further information, readers are encouraged to contact the author at patrick.george@insideevs.com. Additional contributions to this article were made by Suvrat Kothari.