A fire burned outside the Tesla production plant Thursday in Fremont, sending black smoke billowing skyward.
The fire started at about 5:30 p.m. in a cardboard pile outside the electric car maker's factory and threatened a nearby structure, according to the Fremont Fire Department. Aerial views of the blaze showed apparent damage to a large tent.
The tent covered the plant's cardboard recycling area, Fremont fire Div. Chief Doug McKelvey said.
"A recycling area and a bailer was on fire, and it was threatening a couple of other out buildings," he said. "The situation was complicated because power lines in the area had also caught fire along with the power pole."
The flames also sparked a small brush fire that crews extinguished quickly, officials said.
The fire was extinguished by about 6:30 p.m., Fremont fire officials said.
Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene for hours into Thursday night for cleanup, and fire inspectors also were called to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze, fire officials said.
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No injuries were reported.
In an afternoon tweet, Tesla CEO Elon Musk thanked firefighters: "I was just there. Cardboard being prepped for recycling along southern fence line caught fire. Super appreciate fast response by Fremont Fire Department. No injuries or damage to factory."
NBC Bay Area's Sergio Quintana contributed to this report.
