Join the Convo Rising floodwaters caused by Hurricane Helene may have caused this Tesla to catch fire, with footage of the dramatic blaze uploaded online. The Pinellas County Government – which encompasses an area just west of Tampa, Florida – posted a video from a Nest home camera, showing a Tesla Model X in a garage suddenly catching fire. A loud bang can be heard before flames quickly rise up the outside of the electric vehicle (EV), filling the garage with smoke. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The flames continue to burn with gases appearing to emanate from the battery pack. While the blaze continues to be investigated, it’s understood it started from the salty flood water penetrating the Tesla’s battery, with the salt acting as a conductor of electricity. Prior to the Category 4 hurricane, EV owners were urged to drive their cars to higher ground. Tesla recommends submerged models be inspected first before being started again. Tragically, more than 120 lives have been lost due to Hurricane Helene and approximately 600 more are missing across North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia.