A car fire is almost more dangerous than a fire in an apartment or any other room.
A car fire is almost more dangerous than a fire in an apartment or any other room. This is not surprising, as a car is a confined space with a small area. In addition, there is a high risk that the doors may be locked, and people may not be able to get out of the car.
Statistics show that the most common cause of fires is a malfunction of the car's electrical wiring, which leads to a short circuit.
Dear car owners, recall when you last had your car repaired. Often, having entrusted your car to dubious mechanics rather than car service specialists, saving on quality, do not be surprised if your car not only stops dead but also catches fire. According to statistics, in most cases, a fire in a car starts under the bonnet – due to a short circuit in the electrical wiring or a malfunction of the fuel system. Strangely enough, a car fire is least likely to start during a road traffic accident. However, fires in the cabin are more common, caused by an unextinguished cigarette thrown out of the driver's window and drawn inside by the airflow.
So, as soon as you smell petrol or burning rubber in the cabin, stop the car immediately and find the cause. And if smoke starts coming from under the bonnet – do not waste a second! Immediately call the emergency services on 101 or 112! However, it is also important to take action to extinguish the fire yourself, as the car can burn out completely before your very eyes.
The sequence of actions when extinguishing a car fire is as follows: you need to slightly open the bonnet and insert the nozzle of the fire extinguisher into the gap that appears and extinguish the flames. Only then can you carefully open the bonnet to avoid an influx of air and intensified burning. As the bonnet lid may be hot, it is best to open it while wearing cotton work gloves. It is necessary to de-energise the car by any means, using the main switch or by disconnecting (cutting) one of the wires connected to the battery (preferably the "plus" terminal).
One-litre fire extinguishers, which car owners usually buy "for technical inspection", are poor aids in firefighting. Even if there are several of them. It is best to buy a five-litre carbon dioxide or powder extinguisher. And also: study the instructions for use, otherwise, in case of a fire, your car may burn down while you are fruitlessly struggling with the extinguisher, trying to understand its operating principle. Also, do not forget that the fire extinguisher needs to be periodically recharged.
If, for some reason, there is no fire extinguisher, you can use sand, earth, a blanket, or clothing. Remember, if a fire in a car starts in the cabin - there is a very serious danger, as the fire spreads quickly through the upholstery, consisting of fabric, plastic, and synthetic fibers. The fire spread process is significantly accelerated due to the influx of air; within a few minutes, flammable materials and the entire cabin ignite. If the fire has spread to the part of the car where the fuel tank or gas cylinder is located, the only thing you should do is quickly move away from the car to a sufficient distance.
Which cars catch fire more often? There is no definitive answer here. Both new, expensive cars and old ones catch fire. The conclusion is one: no one is immune from fire. Therefore, equip your car with primary fire extinguishing means and... have a safe journey!