A Tesla Model S crash in Indianapolis sent first responders seeking cover as the electric car's lithium-ion battery cells exploded like fireworks following the impact. A driver and a passenger died in a crash that, according to eyewitnesses, may have been caused by excessive speed after the Tesla struck a tree while traveling in downtown Indianapolis around 1 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3. The 27-year-old female driver was pronounced dead at the scene, the Indianapolis Star reports, while a 44-year-old male passenger died shortly after being transported to a hospital.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the crash scene was spread over 150 yards, with firefighters attending to multiple fires caused by lithium-ion battery fragments.

"Crews were preparing to make the rescue effort," Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Jones told the Indianapolis Star. "At the same time, some of those smaller (battery) cells that had broken apart were firing off almost like projectiles around the rescuers."

Fire crews had to use a combination of powder and liquid to extinguish the small fires caused by the disintegrated battery pack, while the car itself was on fire, as well. Rescue crews worked for 20 minutes to free the front passenger from the vehicle.

Video from the local RTV6 news channel showed the Model S sitting between two trees next to a parking garage, with the large impact to the front of the sedan indicating it struck one of the trees head-on after leaving the road.

Previous Tesla Model S crashes in which a part of the battery pack was damaged have also exhibited the type of sparks caused by burning battery pieces, though this is the first time we've seen up-close footage of fire crews attempting to extinguish them.

The Model S gained some notoriety for sustaining damage to its battery pack, which is positioned below the floor of the vehicle, due to underbody punctures caused by road debris. Following several incidents with such debris, the automaker deactivated the feature that lowers the sedan's ride height and installed an underbody shield standard after March 2014. Tesla also made the underbody shield available to owners of the Model S built before that date upon request.

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