Fire Incident at Elon Musk’s X – Used Data Center: An In – Depth Analysis

I. Fire Origin and Initial Findings

According to an official fire investigation, a recent, protracted fire lasting several hours at a data center utilized by Elon Musk’s X likely stemmed from an electrical or mechanical problem within the power system. The blaze, first reported by WIRED, took place on May 22 in Hillsboro, Oregon. The 13 – acre site is operated by the data center behemoth, Digital Realty, and multiple informed sources previously disclosed to WIRED that the Musk – led social platform X houses its servers there.

II. Data Center Fire Prevalence and AI – Related Risks

Data center fires are infrequent occurrences. Based on research from various sources, over the past decade, only around two dozen well – known incidents have been reported across thousands of facilities globally. However, the burgeoning demand for generative AI technology, which depends on extensive clusters of advanced computers, is escalating the scale and power requirements of data centers. This intense load potentially renders AI data centers more susceptible to fires triggered by overheating or malfunctions.

III. Fire Incident Details at X Data Center

A. Initial Suspicions and Actual Cause

At the X data center, firefighters initially suspected the involvement of a lithium – ion battery in the fire. Nevertheless, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue spokesperson Piseth Pich clarified that this was not the case. As per a fire department report obtained by WIRED, the fire originated from a Schneider Electric Galaxy VX uninterruptible power supply (UPS) cabinet. The UPS system, roughly the size of a vending machine and constructed from metal and plastic, functions as a filter and temporary power source, ensuring a consistent electricity supply during outages or other electrical issues, a common feature in data centers, as industry experts affirm.

B. Fire Investigation Findings

A fire department investigator was unable to visually determine the cause of ignition for the UPS cabinet. However, the report did not rule out electrical or mechanical failure within “a complex electrical system.” The pattern of charring indicated that the fire initiated from within the cabinet.

C. Statements from Relevant Parties

Digital Realty spokesperson William Reynolds confirmed that “the fire was electrical in nature and not caused by lithium – ion batteries.” His colleague Helen Bleasdale added that the company had “shared relevant updates with the affected customers” and “implemented improvements to prevent recurrence.” Nevertheless, they declined to provide further details. Schneider Electric and xAI, the owner of X, did not respond to requests for comment.

D. Firefighting Efforts and Damage Assessment

Firefighters arrived 11 minutes after the activation of the first smoke alarm. In a second – floor power room, they were confronted with thick, floor – to – ceiling smoke and extinguished the burning cabinet using fire extinguishers. The report estimated losses to the data center at approximately $260,000, including the complete destruction of one power cabinet and damage to two adjacent ones. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

IV. Contributing Factors and Expert Opinions

A. Cooling and Ventilation Considerations

Russell Carroll, an electrical engineer whose California – based firm EMI Sleuth is involved in fire investigations, posits that inadequate cooling and temperature monitoring of power systems can precipitate fires. He stated, “A cabinet with poor ventilation may have caused overheating to the batteries,” while also noting that photos from the scene “show a perforated panel that would provide good ventilation.” The fire report also mentioned that the power cabinet was equipped with cooling fans to aid ventilation and prevent overheating.

V. Similar Incidents

A. Digital Realty Data Center in El Segundo, California

A similar situation occurred in May 2023 at Digital Realty’s data center in El Segundo, California, near Los Angeles International Airport. A fire department report obtained by WIRED described a burning stack of servers, with estimated losses of $75,000. The department listed the “cause of ignition” as “failure of equipment or heat source.” Lili Sandoval, the city’s assistant clerk, stated that no further investigation was legally required.

B. Digital Realty Data Center in Singapore

Last September, a Digital Realty data center in Singapore caught fire. Local authorities have not responded to WIRED’s recent request for a copy of their investigation, and the company declined to comment on the incident. A lithium – ion battery was reportedly involved.

VI. Future Outlook and Implications

UC Riverside’s Shaolei Ren, an electrical and computer engineer who studies data centers, notes that data centers have a strong incentive to prevent fires and maintain server operations. However, he anticipates more fire incidents as lithium – ion batteries, despite their inherent instability, become more prevalent within data centers.
Enhanced understanding of data center fires could help mitigate future damage, including minimizing downtime for critical AI, healthcare, and emergency services. Carroll, the fire investigations expert, remarks that official reports are typically brief and inconclusive. He further states that if insurance companies become involved, more comprehensive reports from external experts will follow. However, these reports may be kept confidential, leaving the public in the dark about failures in increasingly crucial infrastructure.