Motor Vehicle Fires
 Automobile fires are dangerous. Because vehicles are made of synthetic materials, they can produce toxic gases, which can be harmful and evenly deadly. A burning vehicle can also cause fatal or debilitating injuries due to burns. Flames from a burning vehicle can shoot out in excess of 10 feet.
Intense heat can cause parts of the burning vehicle to burst and fly a great distance becoming lethal pieces of shrapnel. Gas tanks of motor vehicles can rupture or even explode and spray flammable fuel, although this is a relatively rare occurrence. Hazardous fluids, such as battery acid, can cause injury even without burning.
Because vehicle fires are so dangerous, firefighters wear full fire resistant equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus to protect them. You don't have these safety advantages so use extra caution.
If Your Vehicle is on Fire:
- Get everyone a safe distance away from the vehicle.
- After you are a safe distance from the vehicle, call 911.
- Stay away from the vehicle! Don’t try to get back into the vehicle to retrieve anything.
- Never put yourself in danger using a fire extinguisher. If you use a fire extinguisher, only do so from a safe distance and always have a means to get away. (It is recommended to use a fire extinguisher approved for use on class "B" and class "C" fires.)
- Don’t open the hood or trunk if you suspect a fire under it. Air could rush in, feeding the fire, causing injury.
The dangers of motor vehicle fires are often overlooked. Every year, these fires kill hundreds of people and injure thousands more. Toxic gases, hazardous substances, flying debris and explosion, all combine to produce serious dangers in motor vehicle fires.
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