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Wow! Neighbor's car on fire
- Thread starter annr
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Were they home? No fire extinguishers in the house?
annr
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The whole thing was a little odd. It was a car parked in front of my neighbor's, so I don't know who it belonged to or if the owners were present. The only people I could recognize were the fire fighters. The blaze was so large and it was dark outside.
Fortunately both of my cars were in the driveway giving room for one of the 2 fire trucks to park right out front. And the only fire pluga few doors down was not blocked by a parked car or snow.
They used something to extinguish the firemaybe water? And the entire front end was up in flames and then smoke.
I was worried about the fumes getting in and started running some HEPA filters and taped plastic over an installed AC unit.
No one seems to know how the fire started. There were no occupants in the car or minivan or people nearby. But what a loud BOOM!
Anyone here ever witness a parked car spontaneously combust or know how it could happen?
Fortunately both of my cars were in the driveway giving room for one of the 2 fire trucks to park right out front. And the only fire pluga few doors down was not blocked by a parked car or snow.
They used something to extinguish the firemaybe water? And the entire front end was up in flames and then smoke.
I was worried about the fumes getting in and started running some HEPA filters and taped plastic over an installed AC unit.
No one seems to know how the fire started. There were no occupants in the car or minivan or people nearby. But what a loud BOOM!
Anyone here ever witness a parked car spontaneously combust or know how it could happen?
cj65
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My neighbor had an older 90's corvette. My stepson came inside yelling a car was on fire. I grabbed a fire extinguisher from my garage. I kept trying to shoot it into the hood by the wind shield. I kept the flames down til the fire truck got there. Something tells me the owner torched it for insurance though. I could be wrong, but the guy seemed to care less than I did about the whole situation. I worried about a possible explosion. It was a tad surreal.
annr
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Surreal is s good description. The loudest sound around here is the hum of the street lights.
I wondered if this was suspicious. This is not my neighbor's vehicle, and it was parked in her spotwhich she shoveled out and always uses. For the first time her car is parked with the tail end almost blocking my driveway and facing the wrong direction. Maybe she did this because her spot was occupied. Either way, she was very lucky. I can't imagine she would move her car or park it so close to a fire in progress. Just a little weird.
Also, I was wondering if the gas tank could have blown.
They have towed it now. I called my buddy retired firefighter maybe he'll get the story eventually.
I wondered if this was suspicious. This is not my neighbor's vehicle, and it was parked in her spotwhich she shoveled out and always uses. For the first time her car is parked with the tail end almost blocking my driveway and facing the wrong direction. Maybe she did this because her spot was occupied. Either way, she was very lucky. I can't imagine she would move her car or park it so close to a fire in progress. Just a little weird.
Also, I was wondering if the gas tank could have blown.
They have towed it now. I called my buddy retired firefighter maybe he'll get the story eventually.
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A majority of car fires are started by an electrical issue. To suggest that this was a deliberate act is irresponsible and causes unneeded fear especially if you have no facts. If the car's engine compartment was on fire I'm pretty sure that was the cause. I've put out enough to know. A fire extinguisher will do little to put out the flames if the engine compartment is on fire.
cj65
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A fuel leak with an electrical issue can do that. Gas can puddle up onto manifold depressions. The heat from the fire may create a vacuum to suck the fuel towards the heat. I only expressed the opinion of my neighbor and potential arson because his lack of emotion was a bit odd, and the vehicle was stationary for awhile, meaning more than a year. I am a tad cynical about human nature, nothing surprises me much anymore. The fire extinguisher knocked back the flames, but as Ken said, suppressed a little, delayed a full flame up is all it did. Luckily the fire truck got there quickly.
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annr
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Thanks guys. I may go talk to the firemen and see what I as a car and home owner can do to minimize my exposure and keep myself and others safe from this kind of event.
In 30 years, this neighbor is the only victim of vandalism on this street--car tires slashed--so being suspicious is not completely irrational. In fact, the retired fire fighter mentioned that sometimes vehicles used in crimes can be abandoned and set on fire. I don't think this was the case as the front tag is still on the ground today. (Of course that could be stolen too, I guess, but it wasn't collected as evidence.)
We put in a report to 311 for someone to clean up the glass, plastic, metal, and other debris from the car fire. I don't know whose job this is: the homeowner nearest the incident, the car owner, or the city. In any case, they left a mess in the side/middle of the road and it is still possible to smell the fire.
In 30 years, this neighbor is the only victim of vandalism on this street--car tires slashed--so being suspicious is not completely irrational. In fact, the retired fire fighter mentioned that sometimes vehicles used in crimes can be abandoned and set on fire. I don't think this was the case as the front tag is still on the ground today. (Of course that could be stolen too, I guess, but it wasn't collected as evidence.)
We put in a report to 311 for someone to clean up the glass, plastic, metal, and other debris from the car fire. I don't know whose job this is: the homeowner nearest the incident, the car owner, or the city. In any case, they left a mess in the side/middle of the road and it is still possible to smell the fire.
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In nearly 27 years with a volunteer fire department, I've helped put out a ton of vehicle fires. Some had straight forward causes, while others turned out to have bizarre explanations.
I doubt it would happen in Boston in February, but 1x in Texas, we had an engine compartment car fires start when a rat or squirrel apparently managed to create a spark by chewing through insulation on the "right" wire and the fuel line had a leak under the hood. Crispy crittered critter was removed from engine after we put the fire out.
Had some other fires occur when there were small fuel leaks in a fuel hose near fittings. Gas leaking out can vaporize and then ignite if the right fuel/air mixture accumulates near a hot engine.
Had an idiot try to get his car started by pouring gasoline in the carburetor. All the excess gas drained down into the oil pan. Finally got the car started, drove around a while "to charge up the battery". Parked the vehicle and evaporating fuel from the warmed oil in the oil pan caused vapors to rise up under the hood and "poof".
Had a boat fire start up when the owner spilled some gas while filling the portable tank IN THE BOAT (first no-no) that soaked into the aft rope and a life jacket. Then, while bouncing down the road, the UNSECURED (second no-no) battery, which was a SIDE-POST BATTERY WITH NO COVERS ON THE TERMINALS (3rd no-no) slid over into the aluminum boat gunnel and sparked, igniting gasoline soaked rope and jacket. The rubber fuel hose from the tank to the outboard melted, allowing gasoline to freely run out into the boat. Stern of the aluminum boat started melting. Hot aluminum fragments and burning fuel ignited MULTIPLE grass fires along the road. By the time we got the call and caught up with him, we had to stop and put out 19 small grass fires. We barely had enough water left in the tank to put out the boat when we caught up to him, parked on the side of the road. The boat had burned so badly that the transom and engine had fallen off but he never realized it. He finally stopped only after several people meeting him on the road flashed headlights and honked at him as they passed him and he finally looked in his rear view mirror.
So yes, vehicles can "suddenly combust" but there is usually a practical reason for having done so.
I doubt it would happen in Boston in February, but 1x in Texas, we had an engine compartment car fires start when a rat or squirrel apparently managed to create a spark by chewing through insulation on the "right" wire and the fuel line had a leak under the hood. Crispy crittered critter was removed from engine after we put the fire out.
Had some other fires occur when there were small fuel leaks in a fuel hose near fittings. Gas leaking out can vaporize and then ignite if the right fuel/air mixture accumulates near a hot engine.
Had an idiot try to get his car started by pouring gasoline in the carburetor. All the excess gas drained down into the oil pan. Finally got the car started, drove around a while "to charge up the battery". Parked the vehicle and evaporating fuel from the warmed oil in the oil pan caused vapors to rise up under the hood and "poof".
Had a boat fire start up when the owner spilled some gas while filling the portable tank IN THE BOAT (first no-no) that soaked into the aft rope and a life jacket. Then, while bouncing down the road, the UNSECURED (second no-no) battery, which was a SIDE-POST BATTERY WITH NO COVERS ON THE TERMINALS (3rd no-no) slid over into the aluminum boat gunnel and sparked, igniting gasoline soaked rope and jacket. The rubber fuel hose from the tank to the outboard melted, allowing gasoline to freely run out into the boat. Stern of the aluminum boat started melting. Hot aluminum fragments and burning fuel ignited MULTIPLE grass fires along the road. By the time we got the call and caught up with him, we had to stop and put out 19 small grass fires. We barely had enough water left in the tank to put out the boat when we caught up to him, parked on the side of the road. The boat had burned so badly that the transom and engine had fallen off but he never realized it. He finally stopped only after several people meeting him on the road flashed headlights and honked at him as they passed him and he finally looked in his rear view mirror.
So yes, vehicles can "suddenly combust" but there is usually a practical reason for having done so.
annr
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Thanks for explaining a few of them! Yes, we have had to have a dead cat removed from our engine block in the winter. So, maybe the crispy critter theory isn't implausible.
I'm more concerned about the DYI mechanic (or a guy with a gas can in his vehicle) who could do something like this again. This seems quite plausible to me.
In your years responding to fires, have you seen a car front end fire result in a complete combustion of the car?
You mentioned the 19 grass fires. That was another one of my concerns: how readily these fires may spread to nearby vehicles or property. For example, if cars are parallel parked at the curb, could the adjacent car catch on fire, front or rear end?
Or if parked in a driveway on the side (or between) houses, can these fires migrate to the house and/or property? We get very high winds at times, and I live with a wooded area behind my house. This year has been very dry (Sometimes they can't run the trains through certain areas for fear of starting brush fires.)
Just curious. And you also serve to remind me to keep my car in good repair--something I try to do!
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Cars have a plethora of combustible materials built within them....plastics, synthetic fibers, fluids, etc. So yes, they can combust and completely envelope a car within minutes.
Yes, cars parked close to a vehicle on fire can catch fire and be completely destroyed or sustain radiant heat damage.
Cars on fire in a driveway can and have caught the adjacent home or garage on fire. i have personally fought house fires that were the result of a car on fire in the driveway.
Yes, cars parked close to a vehicle on fire can catch fire and be completely destroyed or sustain radiant heat damage.
Cars on fire in a driveway can and have caught the adjacent home or garage on fire. i have personally fought house fires that were the result of a car on fire in the driveway.
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As Ken mentioned, car fires can spread to other cars or structures.
A fire in the engine compartment will generate significant amounts of heat. Many of the materials use in the interior of a car will generate combustible gas fumes and melted liquids when heated to temperatures x. y or z, especially the vinyls/plastics used for seat covers, carpeting, etc. The interior of the car acts like an oven from the heat in the engine compartment, building up heat that generates more volatile fumes. The fumes continue to build up and heat up. At some point, "something" happens that causes a flash over or rapid combustion occurs in the passenger compartment. A window cracks or a window seal melts and allows enough oxygen in for "poof".
When the gasoline in a fuel tanks leaks out and catches fire, it burns at over 1500ºF. The rubber in car tires ignites at 750ºF, so after a few minutes of radiant heating from a car fire in an adjacent paring space, the tires will catch fire. Now the heat from THAT car's tire will start the burning process in it's car. Radiant heat will also go through a car's windows like the sun's rays in a green house. Cars can go up as if in a slow motion domino cascade. Cooling down a single car in the chain will stop the spread (assuming no other heat inputs - trees, grass, etc).
Vehicles set grass fires all the time. A catalytic converter in a vehicle's exhaust system gets extremely hot and will torch off any dry grass under the car. Mufflers can spark fires as well. So always watch where you park in the boonies. The car you save might be your own.
The Texas Forestry Service recommends that people keep brush and grass cleared back at least 30 feet to prevent house ignition from radiant heating. Wood ricks should NOT be kept adjacent to your house. This wood is usually VERY dry and ignites easily. They can act like a wick to starting your house to burn. Extremely dry wood, such as that on older houses, can start burning at temperatures as low as 360ºF, but only after significant exposure times, where the wood has a chance to heat up. At temps over 800ºF, ignition can occur in as little as a minute, depending on moisture content, flammability of any paint, etc.
People dislike it when the fire department tells them they need to "cut down nature" around structures. But then they get all bitchy when that "burning beautiful nature" is threatening their homes and we tell them "Sorry, we can't save your home. It's just gonna go."
A fire in the engine compartment will generate significant amounts of heat. Many of the materials use in the interior of a car will generate combustible gas fumes and melted liquids when heated to temperatures x. y or z, especially the vinyls/plastics used for seat covers, carpeting, etc. The interior of the car acts like an oven from the heat in the engine compartment, building up heat that generates more volatile fumes. The fumes continue to build up and heat up. At some point, "something" happens that causes a flash over or rapid combustion occurs in the passenger compartment. A window cracks or a window seal melts and allows enough oxygen in for "poof".
When the gasoline in a fuel tanks leaks out and catches fire, it burns at over 1500ºF. The rubber in car tires ignites at 750ºF, so after a few minutes of radiant heating from a car fire in an adjacent paring space, the tires will catch fire. Now the heat from THAT car's tire will start the burning process in it's car. Radiant heat will also go through a car's windows like the sun's rays in a green house. Cars can go up as if in a slow motion domino cascade. Cooling down a single car in the chain will stop the spread (assuming no other heat inputs - trees, grass, etc).
Vehicles set grass fires all the time. A catalytic converter in a vehicle's exhaust system gets extremely hot and will torch off any dry grass under the car. Mufflers can spark fires as well. So always watch where you park in the boonies. The car you save might be your own.
The Texas Forestry Service recommends that people keep brush and grass cleared back at least 30 feet to prevent house ignition from radiant heating. Wood ricks should NOT be kept adjacent to your house. This wood is usually VERY dry and ignites easily. They can act like a wick to starting your house to burn. Extremely dry wood, such as that on older houses, can start burning at temperatures as low as 360ºF, but only after significant exposure times, where the wood has a chance to heat up. At temps over 800ºF, ignition can occur in as little as a minute, depending on moisture content, flammability of any paint, etc.
People dislike it when the fire department tells them they need to "cut down nature" around structures. But then they get all bitchy when that "burning beautiful nature" is threatening their homes and we tell them "Sorry, we can't save your home. It's just gonna go."
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I've seen it in motorcycles, certain Honda's had crappy reg rectifiers with heat sinks that were too small. The wires would overheat and sometimes melt/arc. However with cars I would chance it to arson, insurance fraud or revenge.
More than a decade ago in Brooklyn, some lady broke my car window bc her beau cheated on her. My car happened to be near his. So she broke 5 other car windows to hide her crime. My other neighbor caught her in the and and when he wouldn't give up her name to give to the cops I waited until he fixed his car window and then I slashed 4 of his tires. Not my best moment.
More than a decade ago in Brooklyn, some lady broke my car window bc her beau cheated on her. My car happened to be near his. So she broke 5 other car windows to hide her crime. My other neighbor caught her in the and and when he wouldn't give up her name to give to the cops I waited until he fixed his car window and then I slashed 4 of his tires. Not my best moment.
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years ago i lived in Tracy California and the humongous old tire dump outside the city lit off. at first it was just incredible watching it inch toward town. moved slightly and mostly missed. took months for it to be completely extinguished. oh i lived in Indiana near a firestone factory in the 1960s and they lit off rubber mistakes each thursday. no one said squat back then. different times for sure
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In our area, the building code requires that the walls and ceilings between a garage space and the rest of the house be fire-rated. Ditto for the door between the two. This is becasue if the documented occurrence of motor vehicles catching on fire when "off" and parked AND the presence in garages of highly flammable materials that emit dangerous gasses (think car). I think you will find that your local building code provides for the same. He lived on one block for twenty-five years, and two cars caught on fire in that time, fortunately in the street. One was a classic - a Barracuda - and the other a brand-new minivan. The owner took a bath on the 'Cuda. The Minivan was pretty well covered. One fire started in the paper air filter cartridge and the other was electrical, or so we were told.