In Lepel, there has been an increase in car fires.

A car fire is arguably 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. Furthermore, there is a high risk that the doors may become locked, preventing people from escaping the vehicle.

Recently, cases of car fires have become more frequent; since the beginning of the current year alone, three car fires have occurred in the town of Lepel.

Experts are yet to determine the causes of these incidents. As statistics show, in such cases, the most common cause of fires is faulty vehicle wiring, leading to a short circuit.

Dear motorists, recall when you last had your car repaired. Often, entrusting your car to dubious mechanics rather than auto service specialists, saving on quality, should not lead to surprise if your car not only breaks down 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 wiring or a malfunction of the fuel system. Less commonly, surprisingly, a car fire starts during a road traffic accident. However, fires in the cabin occur more frequently, caused by an unextinguished cigarette thrown from the driver's window and drawn inside by the airflow.

Therefore, as soon as you smell petrol or burning rubber in the cabin, stop the car immediately and ascertain 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, taking action to extinguish the fire yourself is also important, as the car can be completely consumed by flames before your very eyes.

The sequence of actions when extinguishing a car fire is as follows: open the bonnet slightly and insert the nozzle of the fire extinguisher into the gap to extinguish the flames. Only then can you carefully open the bonnet to avoid an influx of air and intensifying the fire. As the bonnet may be hot, it is best to open it wearing cotton household gloves. It is necessary to de-energise the vehicle by any means, using the main switch or disconnecting (cutting) one of the wires connected to the battery (preferably the "plus" terminal).

One-litre fire extinguishers, which car owners usually buy "for the technical inspection," are poor aids in extinguishing a fire. Even if there are

a few. It is best to purchase a five-liter carbon dioxide or powder fire extinguisher. And another thing: study the instructions for use, otherwise, in case of a fire, your car may burn down while you are in vain struggling with the fire 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, clothing. Remember, if a fire in a car starts in the cabin - the danger is very serious, as the fire spreads quickly through the upholstery, which consists of fabric, plastic, and synthetic fibers. The process of fire spread is significantly accelerated due to the influx of air; within literally a few minutes, flammable materials ignite, engulfing the entire cabin. 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 safe 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!