NTSB sends investigators to look at Tesla Model S explosion.

In continuing coverage, ABC World News Tonight (6/18, story 6, 1:25, Muir, 14.63M) reported that NTSB is sending investigators to look at a Tesla Model S that exploded in Los Angeles. The LA County Sheriff’s Department “said no one was hurt and that the culprit was a battery or mechanical issue.” The AP (6/18) reports that NHTSA said in a statement that it “continues to collect information regarding this incident and will take appropriate action as warranted.”

        NBC Nightly News (6/18, story 4, 1:50, Holt, 8.26M) reported that the incident was caught on video, which has since been viewed over a million times. The car in the video was driven by director Michael Morris. According to Tesla, the fire was an unusual occurrence and that the vehicle’s batteries are fortified to prevent any fire from spreading into the interior.

        The Washington Post (6/18, Holley, 15.68M) reports that the video was posted on Twitter by actress Mary McCormack, who is Morris’ wife. McCormack said in a post that has since been deleted, “This is what happened to my husband and his car today.” McCormack added, “And thank god my three little girls weren’t in the car with him.” McCormack also thanked the “kind couple” who told her husband to pull over. The article notes that in recent months, “Tesla has faced increasing scrutiny about the performance of its semiautonomous Autopilot feature, production delays and the company’s financial health. But batteries bursting into flames have not been an issue.”