A vehicle fire erupted at Rivian's Normal, Illinois, factory over the weekend, resulting in damage to approximately 50 vehicles. Firefighters were notified of the incident just before 9:45 pm on Saturday, and footage from the scene shows flames and smoke emanating from the north parking lot of the facility. The fire remained confined to the vehicles, leaving the plant undamaged, and there were no injuries reported. Normal Fire Department spokesperson Matt Swaney informed WEEK-TV that the firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by midnight on Sunday but continued to monitor the area. Battery fires are known to be challenging to extinguish, and there is a possibility of rekindling. The cause of the fire remains uncertain, but the department has initiated an investigation. Rivian manufactures the R1T and R1S models at this factory. An aerial photograph shared in the Rivian Electric Vehicles Discussion Facebook group the morning after the incident revealed the extent of the damage. Over 30 Rivian vehicles were seen reduced to their frames, with minimal remaining parts. The other vehicles, though appearing intact from a distance, likely sustained damage from the intense heat. The entire group of vehicles may be considered a total loss. Motor1 contacted the Normal Fire Department and Rivian on Monday morning for further details and updates on the incident. This story will be updated if additional information is received.
Text: Lara Palmer
26.08.2024
A weekend blaze at Rivian's Normal, Illinois, facility leaves over 30 vehicles severely damaged.