In the wake of a high-profile Tesla crash that killed two in a Houston suburb, the Austin Fire Department is planning electric car-centric training that will prepare its firefighters for these types of vehicle fires.
The training will help Austin firefighters decide, "based on the hazards the system presents to us, how are we going to change our tactics" to fight electric car fires, Austin Fire Battalion Chief Matt Holmes said.
Two people died Saturday in The Woodlands after their Tesla hit a tree and burst into flames, according to a Harris County constable.
One person was in the passenger seat and another was in the back of the vehicle, but no one was behind the wheel, Constable Mark Herman said. However, the vehicle did not have autopilot enabled, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said. Tesla's autopilot requires that drivers keep their hands on the wheel when the feature is engaged.