Seattle Fire rushed to the scene and Seattle Police officers were collecting evidence including a red gas can ditched as a suspect ran from the scene after a Tesla was reportedly doused with gasoline and set on fire on 15th Ave E Thursday night.
The incident began unfolding around 8:15 PM as a 911 caller reported a male had thrown gas on the Tesla parked near 15th and Harrison and lit the vehicle on fire. As Seattle Fire arrived to handle the flames, SPD was pursuing two suspects reported fleeing on foot from the area wearing black clothing and face coverings.

This image of the singed car was posted to the CHS Facebook Group
According to East Precinct radio reports, witnesses reported the males fleeing on foot eastbound on Thomas. Police were able to track down one possible suspect after making a stop of a Metro bus but the male could not be immediately identified as a suspect by a witness. It is not clear if the male was released or remained in custody.
Police found a discarded red gas can and a white bag in front of nearby Overcast Coffee at 15th and John. Officers were also collecting video evidence from nearby businesses.
According to radio updates, the white 2022 Model S Tesla is registered to a Tacoma address.
There were no reported injuries.
15th Ave E was closed to traffic during the response. The vehicle was being towed with fire damage to its right side and front from the scene around 10 PM as the smell of smoke still hung in the air along the busy commercial district.
The reported intentional fire comes amid reports of incidents targeting Tesla cars and Cybertrucks across the country as backlash against company CEO Elon Muskย and frustration around Department of Government Efficiency cuts to the federal government as the billionaire has become a trusted advisor during the second Trump administration. Earlier this week in Seattle, multiple Tesla Cybertrucks burned in an incident still under investigation.
UPDATE: According to police, they have security images of the suspect who lit the fire.
12th Ave apartment fire
Seattle Fire was also busy Thursday night with an apartment building near 12th and Denny. SFD was called to the address of the Heather Court Apartments just before 10 PM. SFD says the fire was quickly brought under control and contained to one unit in the 10-unit, 1950s-era building.
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