A fire broke out in the parking lot of Rivian's factory in Normal, Illinois over the weekend, causing damage to several electric vehicles, as reported by local media. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.

According to a spokesperson from the Normal Fire Department, the fire was initially reported at 9:43 PM CT on Saturday. Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is currently leading the investigation into the cause of the blaze, working in conjunction with their insurance company. The fire officials from the town are providing assistance as needed during the inquiry process.

The spokesperson, Matt Swaney, stated that the investigation is complex and ongoing, and no specific timeline has been established for determining the origin or cause of the fire. Swaney also emphasized that the assembly plant itself remains unaffected by the incident and that there were no injuries sustained by either the firefighters or Rivian personnel.

Eyewitnesses recounted seeing flames and smoke emanating from the factory site from a distance. However, the fire was contained within the parking lot, ensuring that the factory building itself remained undamaged.

In a statement, Rivian spokesperson Peebles Squire confirmed that they are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which resulted in damage to several vehicles parked in their Normal plant's parking lot. Squire further assured that the manufacturing plant remained unharmed and confirmed that no injuries were reported. However, no additional details regarding the incident were disclosed at this time.

The increasing risk of fires involving electric vehicles is a concern for manufacturers, as lithium-ion battery cells can generate intense heat and are resistant to conventional fire prevention methods. Notably, New York City has witnessed over a dozen fatalities linked to fires caused by faulty e-bike batteries. Just last week, a Tesla Semi caught fire in California, leading to a significant traffic disruption.

While gasoline-powered vehicles are known to catch fire, the unique challenge faced by fire departments in containing and extinguishing EV battery fires is garnering attention. The growing sales of electric vehicles necessitate proper training for first responders to handle such incidents, as traditional methods of extinguishing flames may not be effective. Republican lawmakers, who have been critical of EV manufacturing subsidies, have highlighted the perceived dangers of EVs. The Biden administration, meanwhile, is striving to encourage more consumers to adopt electric vehicles as a strategy to combat climate change and seeks to facilitate the sharing of information among local departments regarding the best practices for handling EV battery fires.

Correction: The fire incident was first reported on Saturday evening, rather than the previous incorrect information provided.