Waymo robotaxi caught fire after driving over firework in San Francisco
A Waymo robotaxi caught fire after driving over a firework in San Francisco during Fourth of July celebrations. No injuries were reported from the fire or related incidents, though separate incidents showed Waymo vehicles continued operating during fireworks events, and multiple vehicles became stranded due to traffic congestion.
What happened
An unoccupied Waymo robotaxi caught fire after driving over a firework in the street near the 1200 block of Connecticut Street in San Francisco on July 4, 2026.
In a separate incident, video showed smoke and sparks near another Waymo vehicle as it drove into a lit firework with passengers inside. A passenger in a different Waymo ride reported the vehicle continued driving while someone lit fireworks on the street at a four-way stop, and no one in that car was hurt.
Reported impact
No one was inside the vehicle that caught fire, and no injuries were reported. The unoccupied vehicle was safely removed from the scene with coordination from the San Francisco Fire Department and local authorities.
Index analysis
The incident occurred during Fourth of July celebrations marked by heavy traffic and gridlock following a fireworks display from the Golden Gate Bridge. Multiple Waymo vehicles experienced battery drainage and became stranded in traffic during the event, with extreme traffic congestion disrupting operations for several vehicles in the northern part of the city.
Governance controls
Waymo coordinated with the San Francisco Fire Department and local authorities to safely remove the damaged vehicle from the scene. The company stated it is evaluating ways to strengthen Waymo's resilience in major traffic disruptions and rolling out fleet updates and improving emergency response protocols following earlier December incidents.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.