The most common cases of motor vehicle ignition are related to interference with the electrical system or the use of damaged or worn gas cylinders. Similarly, ignition occurs often in the engine compartment. This is often due to the rupture or other damage of the fuel supply pipes. Spilled fuel goes outside the intended space onto heated engine parts and ignites.
With the car on fire, the first mandatory condition is to TURN OFF the CAR ENGINE AS soon as possible to stop the fuel moving in the system. If the vehicle is equipped with a gas fuel system, the auxiliary system locking switches shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the gas cylinder, mostly in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.
If the ignition of the car is related to damage to the electrical installation, the characteristic odour of the fire is usually experienced first and then the signs of smoke. In such cases, too, the MOVEMENT must BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE switched OFF and the BATTERY, which is the power source for the entire electrical system of the car, must BE DISCONNECTED.
Older cars are often equipped with mass switches. It is relatively easier and fast for such cars to disconnect the electrical system. For newer cars, putting in such switches isn't intended because there are too many all kinds of electronic devices that aren't supposed to be turned off either while the car isn't running.
To help yourself and others in an accident, each car must have A KIT, A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, A COVER of NON-SYNTHETIC MATERIAL, WARNING SIGNS.
If the car ignites:
- stop the car immediately, turn off the engine;
- evacuate the passengers from the vehicle;
- keep the car stationary with the handbrake or other means, as appropriate;
- call the firefighters by calling 112;
- if possible, disconnect the “clemps” of the battery;
- if necessary, make every effort to mitigate the consequences of the incident, initiate redemption operations, seek assistance from other road users;
- as far as possible, observe the situation around the car, keep track of the development of the situation, such as whether there are any signs of sparking, uncontrolled spillage of fuel under the car. This allows you to anticipate the development of the situation and protect yourself and others from the effects of fire hazards in a timely manner.
Fire extinguishing
- Use a fire extinguisher. Normally cars have 1 to 2 kg powder fire extinguisher. Carbon dioxide, or carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers are also present. If you have purchased such a device, please consult the information on the label on the fire extinguisher as soon as you buy it, so that you know, if necessary, and above all, what to do and how to do.
- In order for the extinguishing process to be as effective as possible, the extinguishing agent (powder or gas) should be as close as possible to the ignition site. So, the jet of the extinguishing agent should be directed to the place from which the fire started, or underneath the flame, not to a place already affected by the burning process, or to the top of the flame.
- Do not make the bonnet completely open as the oxygen surge will contribute to the development of the fire. Open the fire slightly or use other available openings to extinguish the fire.
- It will be more effective if the extinguishing process is able to attract more than one extinguisher at a time, thereby increasing the intensity of the supply of extinguishing agents per unit of time, and thus never refuse assistance, and of course seek assistance from other road users. This will not only provide a higher rate of deletion, but also make your activities safer, as being alone in an extreme situation is always harder.
- If the combustion process has affected the car compartment, the car must be abandoned immediately, because in this case the combustion spreads very quickly, and the combustion process releases large amounts of particularly poisonous combustion products.
- Recommendation: close all windows and doors as far as possible, prepare the fire extinguisher, and immediately empty the contents of all fire extinguishers (preferably multiple) in the car compartment at the same time as opening a small door slot.