Tesla fire, explosion under investigation at Las Vegas Trump International Hotel on New Year's Day
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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One person is dead and seven others are injured after a Tesla Cybertruck filled with fireworks, gas canisters, and camper fuel exploded at the main entrance to the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel Wednesday morning.

Two sources close to the investigation told KLAS Investigators that they believe the explosion was an intentional act and not an accident. Video shows the vehicle parked next to the hotel’s front doors as it explodes.

Officials said the vehicle was rented on Turo from Colorado and driven to Las Vegas. Drone footage from law enforcement showed the back of the truck was full of fireworks, gas canisters, and camper fuel.

Police have identified who rented the truck, but said they weren’t ready to release the name at this time.

Clark County firefighters and Las Vegas Metropolitan police responded to the explosion and fire around 8:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of Fashion Show Drive, across from Fashion Show Mall and just west of the Las Vegas Strip.

Police tracked the truck through cameras at Tesla charging stations and found that it arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. The truck then drove up and down Las Vegas Boulevard before pulling into the Trump Towers. Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the truck sat in front of the hotel for about 15-20 seconds before it exploded.

Clark County Fire Deputy Chief Thomas Touchstone said an engine arrived at the scene within minutes. “There were multiple persons with injuries located around the vehicle.”

A Tesla Cybertruck caught fire at the entrance of Trump Int’l Tower in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (Credit: Alcides Antunes)

When asked if this explosion had any links to ISIS, McMahill said there is no indication that there was a connection in Las Vegas.

“No overt ISIS flag as seen in New Orleans, but again, we are investigating every aspect of this,” McMahill said.

McMahill thanked Elon Musk for his help with the investigation.

“He gave us quite a bit of additional information into how the vehicle was locked after it exploded due to the nature of the force from the explosion,” he said.

Police tracked the truck through cameras at Tesla charging stations and found that it arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. The truck then drove up and down Las Vegas Boulevard before pulling into the Trump Towers. McMahill said the truck sat in front of the hotel for about 15-20 seconds before it exploded.

Of the seven people who were injured, two were transported to UMC for treatment. McMahill said all the injuries were minor and there doesn’t appear to be any further threat.

A witness who asked to remain anonymous provided this photo of smoke at Trump International Tower near the Las Vegas Strip on Jan. 1, 2025, following a car fire.

The sound of explosions followed by smoke raised concern for people staying at or near the hotel. One witness, who asked to remain anonymous and was staying at Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip, said he heard several loud booms.

“It was shaking the glass it was so loud,” he said. “I looked out and see smoke and me and my wife booked it out of there,” he said.

Guests who were in the process of checking out of the hotel were seen with their luggage walking along the sidewalk. Police said the hotel was eventually evacuated and guests were taken to Resorts World while the investigation is underway.

Guests told KLAS that the evacuation was chaotic and it appeared there wasn’t an evacuation plan in place.

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