![GM shuts down production at its Factory Zero EV plant after a fire breaks out [Update]](https://the-future-automobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Fire-GMs-EV-plant-860x450.jpeg)
A fire broke out at General Motors’ Manufacturing unit Zero electric vehicle plant on Tuesday evening, prompting the company to suspend production. So far, no staff or firefighters have been injured in the incident, but out of caution, the building has been evacuated. The hearth was non-vehicle associated.
Production halted temporarily at General Motors’ Factory ZERO electric vehicle plant due to a malfunctioning fireplace.
General Motors has restarted electric vehicle production at its Factory Zero facility as of this morning’s commencement. The Detroit Fire Department and General Motors are still investigating the cause of the fire?
The automaker attributed the incident to an accident involving a forklift that inadvertently pierced a storage bin containing batteries.
A fire broke out on the premises of a plant on Tuesday afternoon, prompting an immediate evacuation. A General Motors spokesperson, Tara Kuhnen, confirmed to media outlets that an incident occurred at its Factory Zero manufacturing facility involving a fire.
The company representative confirmed that everyone involved is safe, but emphasized that General Motors (GM) is still investigating the situation and will release further information once it becomes available. Kühnen announced that the second shift has been cancelled for the evening.
Around 7:30 pm, we’ll confirm that a fire incident did occur at Manufacturing Unit Zero, and all personnel have been safely evacuated. The fire was not automobile-related and took place near a transportation dock area.
The Detroit Fire Department’s Chief James Harris declared a third-alarm response on Tuesday evening to contain the situation at the affected fireplace location. Harris reported that approximately sixty firefighters and eighteen vehicles were dispatched to the location.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., Harris reported, “Fortunately, no firefighters, civilians, or General Motors employees were injured during the incident. As a precautionary measure, we evacuated the building, and the fire is still smoldering.”
The Detroit Fire Department’s chief has revealed that a recent blaze at General Motors’ Factory Zero EV plant was caused by “lithium-ion batteries”, marking the second such incident at the facility in recent times. An October 25 report from the Detroit Fire Prevention Bureau confirmed the presence of an “autonomous electric vehicle charger” within the facility.
Despite the effectiveness of the sprinkler system in containing the fire, a faulty air flow system remained a pressing concern, as indicated by the incident report. The ventilation system failed to allow smoke to escape the factory efficiently.
According to Kuhnen, our thorough investigation into the October 25th incident confirms that all security protocols functioned correctly. A minor correction was made to remove a non-battery related component, ensuring proper functioning.
Electrek’s Take
General Motors’ groundbreaking Manufacturing unit Zero marks a significant milestone as its inaugural facility dedicated exclusively to electric vehicle production. The location where General Motors assembles its all-electric Chevrolet Silverado WT and GMC Hummer EV models.
The Silverado EV RST model is slated for release in the second half of next year, with availability expected to begin within the first six months of 2024. Another all-electric pickup to follow is the GMC Sierra EV, which is expected to debut soon. The highly anticipated release is scheduled for next summer.
Despite the severity of the three-alarm fire at the manufacturing facility, fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and the incident was unrelated to any vehicle. The blaze erupted near the transport docking area. We will keep you informed about the latest developments.
