Tesla's Giga Berlin plant in Germany evacuated as suspected arson fire knocks out power to surrounding area

Berlin — A Tesla "gigafactory" near Berlin was evacuated Tuesday after a fire and major power outage that was being investigated as a suspected case of arson.

An area around the factory in Grünheide, about 30 miles east of Berlin, experienced power cuts since early Tuesday morning. Police said they were investigating the possibility of an arson attack after a fire damaged an electricity pylon in the area.

"If the initial findings are confirmed, this is a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure," said Brandenburg state Interior Minister Michael Stübgen. "This will have consequences. Thousands of people have been cut off from their basic supply and put in danger."