This footage shows a Tesla Model S being put out by firefighters after it “spontaneously” burst into flames on a highway in California.

The footage shows the luxury car, built by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s company Tesla, apparently on the hard shoulder and burning profusely while firefighters attempt to put out the flames as busy traffic drives by.

One photograph shows the front of the car completely burnt to a crisp with nothing left.

Other images show how the fire department had to lift the car up on jacks so that they could access the battery compartment and extinguish the blaze.

The incident reportedly took place on the Highway 50 near Sacramento, eastbound on Highway 50 and Sunrise Boulevard in Rancho Cordova.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District on 29th January saying: “The vehicle battery compartment spontaneously caught fire while it was travelling freeway speeds on EB Hwy 50. The fire was extinguished with approx 6,000 gallons of water, as the battery cells continued to combust. Thankfully no injuries were reported.” (sic)

There have been a number of other incidents where it was reported that Teslas were spontaneously catching fire and a number of these incidents are being investigated by the US’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It is currently unclear if this fire is being investigated by federal officials