Firefighters contain fire on Tesla factory property in Fremont

Take a look inside the Tesla factory at the production of Tesla Model 3 cars. Take a look inside the Tesla factory at the production of Tesla Model 3 cars. Photo: Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Firefighters contain fire on Tesla factory property in Fremont 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

A fire burning near the southern end of the Tesla factory property in Fremont has been contained, fire officials said Thursday evening.

The fire started at about 5:20 p.m. on a cardboard pile close to the test track, which spread to an outside structure and sparked a grass fire, according to the Fremont Fire Department.

Firefighters said they contained the fire around 6 p.m., but will work several hours into the night to ensure the fire is fully extinguished. At least one structure sustained fire damage, but it is unclear the extent of the damage.

No injuries were reported, according to fire officials. The cause is under investigation.

“This evening, some cardboard and shipping materials being prepared for recycling on our southern fence line caught fire, along with a small patch of grass next to a Tesla parking lot,” read a statement provided by Tesla officials Thursday night. “We would like to thank the Fremont Fire Department for their rapid response.”

Social media video showed black smoke billowing into the air.

The factory has roughly 5.3 million square feet of manufacturing and office space on 370 acres of land, according to the Tesla website.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor