Semi-trailer catches fire on the south side of Rivian Automotive plant

Posted on April 29, 2024
Firefighters stayed on the scene to manage hot spots for an hour after the flames were extinguished. (Photo courtesy: Normal Fire Department)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – A semi-trailer caught fire at Rivian Automotive Monday afternoon, destroying the trailer on the south side of the plant. 

According to a news release, the semi-trailer caught fire just before 1 p.m. 

Normal Fire Department Public Information Officer Matt Swaney reports the semi-trailer was backed up to a loading dock without a semi-attached. 

A portion of the plant was evacuated during the incident. 

Firefighters controlled the fire in under 30 minutes.

There was minor head and smoke damage to the exterior of the Rivian building, and the fire remains under investigation. 

This is the second fire at the Rivian plant in the past week. 

Last week, a section of the assembly line caught fire. 

Both cases had no injuries, and both fires remain under investigation. 

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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