Faraday Future’s Electric SUV Catches Fire at LA Headquarters Amidst Financial Struggles and Eviction Threat
In the early hours of Sunday, a fire erupted at an electric vehicle startup’s Los Angeles headquarters, resulting in an explosion that caused substantial damage to a adjacent two-story building. The fire department confirmed the incident to media outlets.
The blaze was swiftly contained and extinguished within 40 minutes, preventing any reported injuries. However, the extent of the structural damage was severe enough for the city’s Department of Building and Safety to declare the affected building uninhabitable until necessary repairs are carried out.
In a statement to media, John Schilling, communications director at the startup, confirmed the incident, assuring no staff were harmed and there was no evacuation required. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
This unfortunate event occurs at a challenging time for the startup, as its long-term presence at the headquarters, which it has occupied for over a decade, remains uncertain. In 2019, the company sold the headquarters to generate cash and has since been leasing it. The current owner, Rexford Industrial, attempted eviction in February 2024 due to late payments, but the two parties eventually reached a settlement in April 2024. The lease was set to expire at the end of September 2025.
When asked about the lease status, Schilling expressed uncertainty. The property, including the primary building and the damaged one, is currently listed for lease by commercial real estate company CBRE. Representatives from CBRE and Rexford did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publishing.
The fire was initially reported to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) at 4:37 a.m. on September 28. LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey confirmed that the alert originated from an eyewitness, and sprinklers in the building helped keep the fire under control until the fire department arrived. An explosion created a significant bulge in at least one of the walls, according to photos obtained by media outlets.
Upon arrival, firefighters were required to force entry to combat the flames. The fire was fully extinguished by 5:17 a.m. The cause and origin of the fire involving the FF91 SUV have not been definitively determined yet, with fire department investigators failing to identify any human factors. The FF91 SUV was on display in the office space at the time of the incident.
Post-extinguishing, an inspector from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety assessed the structure and deemed it unfit for occupancy.
The FF91 SUV was first unveiled by the startup in 2017, marketed as an ultra-luxury electric vehicle with exceptional range. However, the company faced recurring financial crises, only starting production of a handful of SUVs in 2023.
Since then, the company has delivered more than a dozen FF91s to celebrities and high net worth individuals, although employee whistleblowers have accused the company of misrepresenting these sales. The company is now promoting a more affordable electric van, believed to be imported from China, and is also exploring crypto-focused business ventures. Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission sent “Wells Notices” to the company and its founder Jia Yueting, among others, signaling an impending lawsuit following a three-year-long investigation.
