Tesla Cybertrucks burn overnight in Seattle, KIRO Newsradio reporter threatened with knife while covering

Four Tesla Cybertrucks burned overnight in a lot near 4th Avenue and Spokane Street in Seattle. The lot serves as a temporary storage space for Teslas arriving from overseas before they are sent to dealerships.

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) said 911 calls started coming in at 11:13 pm Sunday. Crews put out the fire, then moved the involved vehicles away from anything else that could catch fire.

No buildings were involved in the fire, and no one was hurt.

“We’ve had Special Agents go out there from our arson and explosives group to take a look at the vehicles and we’re currently investigating that in partnership with the Seattle Police Department,” Jason Chudy, the public information officer for the Seattle Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms, and Explosives, told MyNorthwest.

This incident comes after a series of attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities across the country since the Trump inauguration. Elon Musk, an early investor, board member, and current CEO of Tesla, has taken a role in the Trump administration.

These attacks have ranged from graffiti and vandalism at dealerships to arson and reports of gunfire at Tesla locations, including a recent incident in Portland.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it is unclear if it is politically motivated.

“If it’s accidental, we’ll determine that, or if it’s incendiary in nature,” Chudy said. “Meaning if someone did it, we will determine that.”

Atleast 2 #Tesla #Cybertrucks on fire in Tesla lot at 4th and Spokane for vehicles right off the boat. There have been dozens of attacks against Tesla across the country. The latest on @KIRONewsradio and @Mynorthwest pic.twitter.com/iYCaBsq0hS

— Luke Duecy (@LukeKIRO) March 10, 2025

Man pulls knife on KIRO Newsradio reporter

While covering the story for Seattle’s Morning News, a man approached KIRO Newsradio’s Luke Duecy and pulled out what appeared to be a knife.

“I can’t tell if that person is with another business that’s nearby or with this business. Someone clearly rolled in, older gentleman, did not want us being here, wanted us all to leave,” Duecy said.

“He decided to come up to me right before I came on air and tried to get me to leave, essentially. And then I told him “No.” And that’s when I saw this person reach in the back behind like a belt or something and pull something metallic out underneath, and I went “oh,” and there were unfortunately a lot of bad language between the two of us.

“That was a scary moment as well. But you know, obviously someone does not want us to be here and to show these vehicles, but that’s in fact what we’re doing.”

We will continue to follow this developing story.

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