Tesla Model S catches fire during promotional test drive in France

A TESLA electric car has burst into flames during a routine test drive in the French town of Biarritz.

A Model S motor caught fire whilst several passengers were inside it.

They were reportedly alerted to an imminent fire by a warning on the dashboard, allowing them to escape to safety before a blaze engulfed the battery-powered motor.

Tesla is now cooperating with an  investigation into the cause of the fire.

A spokesman said: "We are working with the authorities to establish the facts of the incident and offer our full cooperation.

"The passengers are all unharmed."

Related Stories

ELECTRIC SHOCK

Tesla self-driving car involved in ANOTHER crash as Model X flips in collision with concrete barrier

'No Crying Allowed'

Terminally ill woman throws joyous two-day party for loved ones before ending her life

PERFECT 10

SpaceX fires satellite into space before landing rocket on a BOAT in mission inspired by Olympic gymnast

YACHT AN IDIOT

Captain embarrassingly crashes his luxury yacht TWICE while trying to moor it

The Model S is widely regarded as a safe vehicle, although it is known that the lithium-ion batteries which power it are at risk of catching fire if they sustain damage.

Last month Joshua Brown, a former Navy Seal from Ohio, died in a crash while using the Tesla’s auto-pilot technology.

He is thought to be the first person to be killed in a self-driving car.