Vehicles rented by President Joe Biden’s Secret Service caught on fire in a parking lot.
The Nantucket Current first rreported on the incident in a series of tweets.
“A large car fire involving multiple rental vehicles at Nantucket Memorial Airport is now out. There were no injuries reported but at least four cars sustained significant damage,” the outlet tweeted, showing footage of the vehicles.
The Current reported that the “fire was just 40 feet away from the airport’s 25,000-gallon jet fuel tanks.”
The fire was just 40 feet away from the airport’s 25,000-gallon jet fuel tanks pic.twitter.com/epUYERWN6Y
— Nantucket Current (@ACKCurrent) November 28, 2022
Additionally, the Current showed photos of the vehicles that were “facing each other and had their front ends totaled by the fire,” including a Chevy Suburban, Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX80, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Gladiator.
According to the report, the cars were “owned by Hertz, and had just been returned by members of the Secret Service who had been using them during President Biden’s visit,” citing sources.
The report continues, “The Ford Expedition was under a battery recall by the manufacturer and had recently had the battery switched out.”
The cars were owned by Hertz, and had just been returned by members of the Secret Service who had been using them during President Biden’s visit, sources said.
— Nantucket Current (@ACKCurrent) November 28, 2022
The Ford Expedition was under a battery recall by the manufacturer and had recently had the battery switched out. pic.twitter.com/CQzI5w0k2U
However, the Current issued a correction in another tweet.
“Correction: it had been scheduled for recall service but the battery had NOT been swapped out yet,” the Current wrote.
Correction: it had been scheduled for recall service but the battery had NOT been swapped out yet
— Nantucket Current (@ACKCurrent) November 28, 2022
The Current also shared a statement issued by the Nantucket Airport.
“At approximately 5:22 am Airport shift staff observed an active fire in the rental car overflow area through the Airport’s Closed Circuit Television System,” the airport said.
It continues, “Staff activated the Alert system and responded to the fire in Airport-3, where they were met by responding units from Nantucket Fire Department and Nantucket Police Department.”
The airport stated that “combined fire resources responded and contained the fire. Several vehicles were damaged. The Airport is currently coordinating with rental car agencies and agency partners to ensure scene safety, There is no longer an active fire at this time: the Airport is open, and aeronautical operations are not affected.”
Press Release. @InkyM @ACKCurrent @977ackfm pic.twitter.com/Nuwq6w054U
— Nantucket Airport (@AirportACK) November 28, 2022
Over the weekend, Biden spent time in Nantucket with his family shopping after the Thanksgiving holiday, The Associated Press reported.
