Police are now treating a car which caught on fire and then exploded outside Trump Las Vegas hotel as a ‘possible act of terror’.
A Tesla Cybertruck exploded after being driven into the valet area of the Nevada hotel.
The driver of the vehicle died while seven bystanders suffered minor injuries, ABC News reports.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police are now investigating the cause of the car fire at the entrance to the hotel.
Officers are currently treating the explosion as a possible criminal act or act or terror.
The Cybertruck reportedly had a number of fireworks-style mortars on board, with investigators trying to work out whether the driver intended to set off an explosion and why.
Video footage of the explosion shows several brightly coloured fireworks shooting from the vehicle.
Police have told the public to stay away from the scene while they continue to investigate, but added that they don’t believe there is any further threat to the community.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill said: ‘We believe everything is safe now – but we don’t know what we don’t know.’
The Trump Las Vegas hotel has heightened security due to its connection with president-elect Donald Trump.
His son Eric, who is vice president of the Trump Organization, said on X: ‘Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas.
‘The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority.
‘We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.’
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a major supporter of Donald Trump, said on X that the explosion was caused by ‘very large fireworks and/or a bomb’ carried in the Cybertruck, saying the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle itself.
He added: ‘All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.’
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