The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that vehicle fires account for about 20% of all reported fires. In the US, on average, 17 automobile fires were reported per hour. These fires killed an average of four people every week, so it’s very important to know how to reduce the risk of your own car or truck catching fire.
Seeing a vehicle fire on the road or, worse, experiencing one yourself, is a frightening event. While vehicle fires might seem like something out of an action movie, they are a real risk. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and FEMA, vehicle fires account for a significant percentage of all fires responded to by fire departments.
Here at PuroClean of Melbourne, your local experts in property restoration, we want you to be prepared and stay safe on the roads. As we move through 2025, here are crucial vehicle fire safety tips, including considerations for the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) in our community.
Why Do Vehicle Fires Happen?
Understanding the causes can help in prevention:
- Mechanical & Electrical Failures: These are leading causes. Faulty wiring, short circuits, issues with the battery’s charging system (which produces flammable hydrogen gas), overloaded electrical systems (often from aftermarket accessories), or problems with fuses can all spark a fire.
- Leaking Fluids: Flammable liquids like fuel, oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid can ignite if they leak onto hot engine or exhaust parts or encounter a spark. Fuel system leaks are particularly dangerous.
- Overheating Engines & Exhaust Systems: Problems with the cooling system (leaks, faulty fans, bad thermostats) can cause engines to overheat, potentially igniting nearby flammable materials. Similarly, malfunctioning exhaust systems (like catalytic converters) can get extremely hot, release sparks, or trap debris that ignites.
- Car Crashes: The impact from a collision can rupture lines, spill fluids, and create sparks, leading to a fire. These fires can be especially dangerous as occupants may be injured or trapped.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting regular vehicle servicing significantly increases the risk. Worn parts, leaky seals, frayed wiring, and overdue maintenance can create fire hazards.
- Design Flaws: Though less common, manufacturing defects can sometimes increase fire risk, often leading to recalls.
- Other Causes: Improperly stored cargo (like gas cans or propane tanks), smoking inside the vehicle, and even rodents building nests or chewing wires can contribute to fires.
Preventing Vehicle Fires: Your First Line of Defense
Prevention is key. Follow these tips to minimize your risk:
- Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular service with a qualified mechanic. Pay special attention to the electrical system, fuel system, and engine cooling components. Address any identified leaks or worn parts immediately.
- Check Fluids: Regularly check fluid levels and look for any signs of leaks under your car. If you smell gasoline, investigate immediately.
- Listen and Look: Pay attention to warning signs like blown fuses, strange smells (burning rubber/plastic, gasoline), smoke, or rapid changes in fluid levels or engine temperature. Don’t ignore dashboard warning lights.
- Professional Installations: Have any aftermarket accessories installed by professionals to avoid overloading the electrical system.
- Drive Safely: Avoid reckless driving to reduce the chance of accidents.
- Secure Cargo: Transport flammable materials like gasoline or propane tanks safely. Use approved containers, secure them properly, keep them away from passengers if possible, and ensure good ventilation (open windows slightly). Never store gasoline in your car long-term.
- EV Charging Safety:
- Use charging equipment certified by a recognized testing laboratory.
- Have charging stations installed by a qualified electrician according to the latest codes (like NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®).
- Plug Level 1 chargers directly into an appropriate outlet; avoid extension cords or multi-plug adapters.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for charging and maintenance. Never use damaged charging equipment.
- Park Smart: Avoid parking your car over tall, dry grass, especially after driving, as hot exhaust parts can ignite it.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Catches Fire
If the worst happens, act quickly and prioritize safety:
- Signal and Pull Over: As soon as it’s safe, signal and pull over to the side of the road (shoulder or breakdown lane). Try to find a spot away from traffic, buildings, and flammable materials if possible.
- Turn Off Engine: Immediately shut off the ignition to stop fuel flow.
- EVACUATE: Get everyone out of the vehicle as quickly as possible. Your life is more important than any possession. Don’t go back for phones or belongings.
- Stay Away: Move everyone at least 100 feet away from the burning vehicle and well away from traffic. Stay upwind to avoid inhaling toxic smoke. Keep onlookers away.
- Call 911: Report the fire immediately, giving your location and vehicle details.
- DO NOT Open Hood/Trunk: Opening the hood or trunk can provide oxygen that fuels the fire, causing a dangerous flare-up.
- DO NOT Fight the Fire: Leave firefighting to the professionals. Vehicle fires can escalate quickly, involve toxic fumes, and pose explosion risks (especially if the fuel tank is involved).
Electric Vehicle Fire Considerations
While statistically less common currently, EV fires behave differently:
- Thermal Runaway: Fires often originate in the lithium-ion battery pack due to damage or defects, leading to an uncontrollable heating process called thermal runaway.
- Reignition Risk: Damaged EV batteries can retain “stranded energy” and reignite hours, days, or even weeks after the initial fire is extinguished.
- Extinguishing Challenges: Firefighters typically use large amounts of water, primarily to cool the battery casing and stop thermal runaway, rather than directly extinguishing the cells.
- Toxic Gases: Like all vehicle fires, EV battery fires release toxic gases.
After the Flames: PuroClean of Melbourne Can Help
Once the fire department has extinguished the blaze and declared the scene safe, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Smoke, soot, and water damage (from firefighting efforts) can cause significant secondary issues.
That’s where PuroClean of Melbourne comes in. We are your local IICRC-certified experts specializing in fire and smoke damage restoration. We understand the urgency and offer 24/7 emergency service to the Melbourne area.
Our services include:
- Damage Assessment: Quickly determining the full extent of fire, smoke, soot, and water damage.
- Emergency Board-Up & Tarping: Securing your property to prevent further damage or intrusion.
- Soot and Smoke Removal: Using specialized equipment and techniques to clean surfaces and remove pervasive smoke odors.
- Water Extraction & Drying: Addressing water damage caused during firefighting.
- Contents Cleaning & Pack-Outs: Carefully handling, cleaning, and restoring salvageable belongings.
- Deodorization: Eliminating lingering smoke smells.
- Reconstruction Services: Helping rebuild damaged areas.
- Insurance Assistance: We can help navigate the insurance claim process.
Don’t face the aftermath of a vehicle fire alone. If you experience property damage due to a vehicle fire in Melbourne, FL, call PuroClean of Melbourne anytime, day or night, at (321) 378-2400. We’re here to help restore your property and peace of mind.
PuroClean of Melbourne 739 North Drive, Suite B Melbourne, FL 32934 (321) 378-2400
There’s rarely a single cause for any given car fire, but rather a combination of causes: human causes, mechanical causes, and chemical causes, and they all work together to create an incredibly dangerous situation. No matter the causes that lead to the fire, once a vehicle is ablaze, follow these steps to get yourself to safety:
- Pull over as quickly as it is safe to do so, be sure to use your signal as you make your way to a safe location off the road such as the shoulder or rest stop.
- Once you have stopped, TURN OFF the engine.
- GET everyone out of the car. Never return to a burning car for anything.
- MOVE everyone at least 100 feet from the burning car and well away from traffic.
- CALL 9-1-1.
You can prevent a car fire by following these recommendations:
- Have your car serviced regularly by a professionally trained mechanic. If you spot leaks, your car is not running properly, so get it checked. A well-maintained car is less likely to catch fire.
- Always have a fire extinguisher in your car and make sure all the passengers know how to use it.
- If you must transport gasoline, transport only a small amount in a certified gas can that is sealed.
- Gas cans and propane cylinders should never be transported in the passenger compartment.
- Never park a car where flammables, such as grass, are touching the catalytic converter.
- Drive safely to avoid an accident.
- Be extremely attentive observing the following danger signs: cracked or loose wiring or electrical problems (including a fuse that blows more than once), oil or fluid leaks, oil cap not on securely, rapid changes in fuel or fluid level, or engine temperature.
When a fire happens, there is no more time for planning. Act today, be prepared!
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