6 Things to Do if Your Car Is On Fire!

In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study of 3 million Kia and Hyundai models.

This is because of the issues that they could explode into flames without being involved in a collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 3,000 cases of cars on fire have been reported by both automakers.

man in black jacket standing near fire

Hence, both Hyundai and Kia are recalling more than 168,000 of their vehicles due to incorrect repairs. The automakers said that the repair may cause a high risk of fire.

What causes vehicular fire?

Vehicular fire is often caused by design defects, fuel leaks, or faulty wiring. Of course, there are other causes like rapid changes in the fuel levels, engine temperature, or human, mechanical, and chemical causes.

Having the knowledge of these factors could aid a car owner to prevent precarious situation, although this is not a guarantee. Remember once your car is burning, it no longer matters how it started, it is on fire, period.

What to do if your car catches fire?

Fire could spread very quickly, so you have to act very quickly.

  1. Pull over and turn off the engine of your car so that the flow of the fuel will stop.
  2. Instruct all your passengers to immediately get out of the car. Never mind about personal belongings and never go back to the burning vehicle. Stay a good 100 to 150 feet or so, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA.
  3. Call 911 right away or ask one of your passengers or another motorist so emergency services can help you right away.
  4. Try to extinguish the fire if you distinctly know the entry of where the fire is. Use the correct fire extinguisher but make sure you know how to use it properly while keeping a safe distance. Use extinguisher that has been approved for Class B or C fires. You can check it out in the label on the fire extinguisher to know the type of fire it is for.
  5. Warning! Do not open the hood or even the trunk if you think there is a fire in one of those parts of the car. The extra air that flows inside the area could make the fire increase.
  6. Look around your surroundings and do not stand on a very busy road. If your vehicle is parked by the side of a road, never stand in front of it. Stay at the back portion to prevent being hit by a passing motorist that may strike your vehicle.

Car can still be repaired?

If your car was damaged by a fire, it can still be fixed. It is good to know that Chaney’s Collision Center can conduct fire and collision repairs. Chaney’s Collision Center takes pride on its good service and its skilled mechanics.

Chaney’s Collision Center is found at the heart of Glendale, Arizona, and can provide service to the following places: Chandler, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Tempe, and other areas in Arizona.

The technicians at Chaney’s Collision Center are dependable in terms of restoring and repairing your vehicle. You may call the hotline (623) 915-2886 for any urgent car repair needs.