Faraday Future Headquarters Hit by Vehicle Fire and Explosion

Faraday Future SUV Fire at Los Angeles Headquarters

An electric SUV belonging to Faraday Future experienced a fire at the company’s Los Angeles facility early Sunday morning. This incident resulted in an explosion that compromised the building’s structural integrity, according to reports from the fire department to TechCrunch.

Fire Response and Building Damage

Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze within 40 minutes, and fortunately, no injuries occurred. However, the damage sustained by the building – a smaller, two-story structure adjacent to the main headquarters – was substantial.

The city’s Department of Building and Safety has issued a “red tag” for the affected building. This designation indicates that structural assessments and potential repairs are necessary before it can be safely reoccupied.

Faraday Future’s Statement

John Schilling, Faraday Future’s communications director, confirmed the fire in a statement to TechCrunch. He stated that no FF staff were harmed and no evacuation was necessary. The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation.

Following the publication of this article, Faraday Future released a statement on X asserting that the vehicle’s battery pack “remains largely undamaged.” The company also indicated they “found no evidence that the battery pack was the cause” of the fire.

Possible Ignition Sources

Faraday Future suggested potential causes, including an electrical short circuit within the showroom wiring or a short circuit related to a loose connection in the vehicle’s 12V low-voltage system.

The company also highlighted that the vehicle was an early engineering prototype. Its interior materials did not meet the flammability standards required for production vehicles.

Timing and Lease Uncertainty

This incident occurs during a period of uncertainty for Faraday Future regarding its continued occupancy of the headquarters, a location it has utilized for a decade.

Having sold the headquarters in 2019 to improve its financial standing, the startup has been operating under a lease agreement. A lawsuit was filed by the current owner, Rexford Industrial, in February 2024, seeking to evict Faraday Future due to late payments.

The dispute was settled in April 2024, with the lease initially set to expire at the end of September 2025.

Lease Status and Property Listing

When questioned, Schilling expressed uncertainty about the current status of Faraday Future’s lease agreement.

The property, encompassing both the main building and the one affected by the fire, is currently listed for lease by commercial real estate firm CBRE. Representatives from CBRE and Rexford Industrial have not yet provided comment.

Fire Department Report

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) received the initial report of the blaze at 4:37 a.m. local time on September 28. According to LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey, the 911 call originated from an eyewitness.

Building sprinklers helped to contain the fire until the arrival of the fire department. An explosion caused a significant bulge in at least one wall, as documented in a photograph reviewed by TechCrunch.

Firefighters were required to force entry to combat the flames, and the fire was fully extinguished by 5:17 a.m.

Investigation and Findings

Humphrey stated that the specific cause and origin of the fire involving the FF91 SUV remain undetermined. Fire department investigators found no indication of “human factors” contributing to the incident.

The FF91 SUV was on display within the office space at the time of the fire.

Following the fire’s suppression, an inspector from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety assessed the structure and deemed it unsafe for occupancy.

Faraday Future’s History and Current Ventures

Faraday Future initially unveiled the FF91 SUV in 2017, positioning it as an ultra-luxury electric vehicle with exceptional range.

However, the company faced numerous financial challenges, delaying production until 2023 when the first few SUVs were built.

To date, Faraday Future has delivered slightly more than a dozen FF91s to celebrities and high-net-worth individuals. These sales figures have been questioned by employee whistleblowers, who allege misrepresentation.

Currently, the company is focusing on a more affordable electric van, reportedly imported from China, and exploring opportunities in the cryptocurrency sector.

Earlier in the year, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued “Wells Notices” to Faraday Future and its founder, Jia Yueting, signaling potential legal action following a three-year investigation.

This story has been updated to include additional information provided by Faraday Future.