A Tesla crash turned a busy stretch of Route 59 into a traffic nightmare in Naperville on Friday afternoon, after the vehicle erupted in flames and drew a massive emergency response. Firefighters attacked the blaze and focused heavily on cooling the vehicle’s battery pack, and officials did not immediately say whether anyone was injured. Drivers were detoured for hours as crews stayed on scene into the evening.
Video from the scene and local station footage showed the Tesla fully involved in fire, with crews surrounding the wreck and operating multiple hose lines, according to CBS News Chicago. The clip captured firefighters working in tight coordination as the flames were knocked down and the scene brought under control.
Route 59 Closed Between 95th Street and Cantore Road
NBC Chicago reported that the major north–south route was shut in both directions between 95th Street and Cantore Road, as fire engines and other emergency vehicles blocked lanes and aerial views showed long backups stacking up in each direction. The outlet also noted that Naperville firefighters deployed a specially designed tool, the Poseidon Nozzle, while working to extinguish the electric-vehicle battery fire. Crews stayed in place to continue cooling the battery pack and clear debris before the road could fully reopen.
What the Poseidon Nozzle Does
The Poseidon Nozzle, created by a Naperville firefighter, is designed to slide underneath a vehicle and deliver a concentrated stream of water directly into the battery compartment to fight thermal runaway, according to coverage of the device’s development. NCTV17 has detailed how the tool works and why departments are testing specialized tactics for handling electric-vehicle incidents.
Why EV Fires Need Different Tactics
Electric-vehicle fires remain relatively rare compared with gasoline-vehicle fires, but when they do happen, they behave differently and can pose added hazards such as off-gassing and the potential for the battery to reignite after the main flames are out. FireRescue1 notes that EV incidents can demand thousands of gallons of water and dedicated standard operating procedures, while Plug In America outlines how manufacturers and fire departments are adjusting training and equipment for these kinds of calls. Together, those reports highlight why Naperville’s homegrown nozzle and similar innovations are getting attention in modern fire service circles.
What Officials Say and Next Steps
By Friday evening, officials had not released a detailed public statement about the crash or fire, and local coverage indicated that firefighters were still monitoring the area for any remaining hot spots, according to CBS News Chicago. Drivers in the area are being advised to plan for lingering cleanup-related delays and to check local traffic reports for the latest detours and reopening updates.
