Explosion, Vehicle Fire Shut Down Faraday Future HQ
▼ Summary
– A Faraday Future electric SUV caught fire and exploded at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters, causing significant damage to the building.
– The fire was extinguished in 40 minutes with no injuries, but the building was red-tagged as unsafe for occupancy due to structural damage.
– Faraday Future has faced financial struggles, having sold and leased back the headquarters, and was previously sued for late lease payments before settling in April 2024.
– The cause of the fire is under investigation, with no human factors identified, and the FF91 SUV involved was on display in the office space.
– The company has delivered only a few FF91 SUVs since 2023, is promoting a new electric van, and is under SEC investigation with Wells Notices issued to the company and its founder.
An electric SUV from Faraday Future erupted in flames at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters early Sunday morning, resulting in an explosion that damaged a section of the building’s wall. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed the incident, stating that crews managed to extinguish the blaze within forty minutes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among Faraday Future staff, and an evacuation was not necessary.
The fire caused substantial damage to a smaller, two-story building on the headquarters campus. The severity of the damage prompted the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to issue a “red tag” on the structure, declaring it unsafe for occupancy until necessary repairs are completed. A company spokesperson acknowledged the incident, emphasizing that an investigation is underway to determine the fire’s specific cause and origin.
This event occurs during a period of significant uncertainty for Faraday Future’s tenancy at the location. The financially troubled automaker sold the headquarters property in 2019 to raise capital and has been leasing it back. The current landlord, Rexford Industrial, previously filed a lawsuit in February 2024 to evict the startup over missed lease payments. Although the two parties reached a settlement in April, the company’s long-term presence remains in question. The property is currently being marketed for lease by the commercial real estate firm CBRE.
The Los Angeles Fire Department received the initial emergency call at 4:37 a.m. on September 28 from a witness who reported the fire. According to a fire department spokesperson, the building’s sprinkler system played a crucial role in containing the flames until firefighters arrived. Crews had to force their way into the building to combat the fire, which was fully extinguished by 5:17 a.m. An explosion during the incident caused a visible bulge in at least one wall. Investigators have not yet identified the cause of the FF91 SUV fire but noted that no “human factors” were immediately apparent. The vehicle was on display inside the office space at the time.
Faraday Future first introduced the FF91 model in 2017, promoting it as a premium electric vehicle with an exceptional driving range. However, the company has faced persistent financial difficulties, only beginning limited production of the SUV in 2023. To date, the automaker has delivered just over a dozen vehicles to high-profile clients, though these sales have been questioned by employee whistleblowers.
The company is now shifting its focus toward a more budget-friendly electric van, which appears to be sourced from China, and is also exploring ventures in the cryptocurrency sector. These developments come as Faraday Future and its founder, Jia Yueting, face potential legal action from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has issued Wells Notices indicating a likely enforcement lawsuit following a multi-year investigation.
(Source: TechCrunch)
