A serious fire broke out on the morning of May 17, 2025 at Jacksonville International Airport, Florida (USA), causing major property damage and disrupting hundreds of flights. According to initial reports, the fire originated in the parking lot, where a Tesla electric car suddenly exploded.
Tesla car explosion causes large-scale fire
Local police and firefighters confirmed: a Tesla Model S exploded while parked in the 2nd floor parking lot at Jacksonville Airport. The explosion triggered a chain of fires that spread rapidly, burning more than 100 nearby vehicles and severely damaging most of the parking lot. A thick column of black smoke covered the entire area, forcing authorities to evacuate thousands of passengers.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but at least 12 people were injured by smoke inhalation or minor burns. Many flights were canceled or delayed during the day. The initial damage estimate is up to tens of millions of dollars.
Elon Musk is named
Immediately after the news that the car that exploded was a Tesla model, social networks quickly “named” Elon Musk. The hashtag #HoldElonAccountable quickly climbed to the top trending on X (Twitter) and TikTok. Many people believe that this is no longer an isolated incident but the consequence of a series of scandals related to Tesla car explosions in recent years.
One user wrote: “This is an airport, not a battery testing lab. Elon Musk must be held responsible for putting millions of people in danger.” Some technology experts also questioned whether Tesla really has control over the battery safety issues in its car lines.
Tesla has not officially responded
To date, Tesla and Elon Musk have not made any official comments on the incident. However, if the investigation results determine that the main cause is a technical defect in Tesla vehicles, the company may face many lawsuits, and its brand image will continue to be seriously affected.
Safety warning for electric vehicles
The explosion once again raises big questions about the safety of vehicles using lithium-ion batteries. This is not the first time a Tesla has exploded while charging or parked. Many consumers are expressing concerns and reconsidering the use of electric vehicles in public areas such as airports, parking garages, or high-rise apartments.
When the “green” future of electric vehicles is obscured by black smoke from fires and explosions, what will Elon Musk face? The answer awaits in the investigations, and in the increasingly shaky trust of consumers.
