Burned car!

[tracker]

It anit salty but........... While driving home today I smelled something not quite right. I pulled off the freeway into the weigh station to check things out. I could see nothing wrong in the trunk or under the hood. I looked under the car and found nothing. So I opened the door to get back in and go and now could see a little wisp of smoke inside. It was coming from the passengers side seat! Well I dont smoke so lets not go there. Anyway I ran around to that side of the car to take a look. There was smoke coming out from under the seat. I grabbed everything under there but nothing was burning. I shoved my hand up under the seat and it came back out on fire. The fire as I could tell was actually coming from inside the seat. Yes you read that right, from inside the seat. Well now I found that to be odd, but I needed to get the fire on my hand out so I concentrated on that first. As I got the flames out on my hand and arm I looked under the seat again. I could see flames now under there. Well time to get things out. I ran around to the drivers side and got my wallet. Got a box of equipment out and my tool belt and that was about all I could get. Things were quite envolved at this time. I took my stuff away from the car. The State Patrol guys came out of the weigh station with some fire extinguishers but it was way too late for that. She burned right to the ground for the most part. The explosions were quite impressive and by the time the fire department got there it was slowing down. The emergency brake gave out at some point and the car was rolling away till it hit a light pole. Burning like crazy all the way. An impressive show and me without my video camera. Well I guess it is time to go and visit the car dealers. Now I wonder if I should get another suzuki forenza? Well maybe not!

[hawgsnhogs]

Good to hear you are ok. I have never heard of a vehicle catching fire that way. Did the FD investigate a cause?

[tracker]

As much as they could! There were wires right there where the fire started. I am sure it was some type of short. Maybe the seat belt sensor or a combination of sensors! I am not sure but it was definately coming from inside the seat area. What sensors are there who knows?

[Orion]

Seat heater perhaps?

Orion

[corrirod]

Wow, that's amazing! Glad you found it when you did and everyone is alright.

Sorry you lost your car though. I hope you didn't lose anything too valuable or sentimental.

[98ramtough]

Glad you made it out ok. Did you have heated seats?

[tracker]

No heated seats! I was alone in the car. The thing I wish I had grabbed over my wallet was a necklass my 5 year old daughter made for me for christmas. My wife said she cried (mydaughter) when she heard the car burned. She asked if I had saved the neckless. Man do I feel guilty!

[Nordic Sun]

OK let's try to put a positive spin on this tragedy.
:shocked:
You have used up a whole lot of bad luck in one event!

So now you are due for some good luck. Maybe all at once, or maybe, ... just maybe....spread out, like over three tuna tournaments.

Good luck to you!

Bob

[Chrome Bumper]

Wow. sounds like a short. Glad no one got hurt. A $10 dollar fire extinguiser might have helped.

[txaggie]

Passenger seat airbag sensor?

[wthr4d]

Tracker- Im glad to hear you are alright!! those kinds of fires can be so dangerous. Is your hand going to be okay? Sorry to hear about your lost necklace, dont feel guilty for surviving!! your daughter will recover when she realizes how serious the situation had gotten. its not likely that a fire extinguisher would have stopped this fire. it was electrical and the seat cushions are extremely flamable. Without removing the ignition source(the power to your vehicle) it would have just reignited later. I hope you were insured.

Paul

[Hooked on Fish]

Tracker, I'm extremely relieved to hear you're okay. Make sure your daughter makes the next piece of jewelry out of aluminum foil. There's several ifishers in the car biz. Bet they'll take care of you if you put the word out.

[tracker]

Hand is fine. Does have some second degree burns and some first degree on my arm. It took only maybe less than thirty seconds to go from some smoke to full on fire and flames. Daughter found another neckless she had made around the same time and has given that to me. We are ok on that front!

[pnwcoast]

I have often looked forward to trackers video's of his adventures but in this case I'm glad the video camera was not in his hands. Tracker, a car can be replaced but a daughters gift and a video recorder (in your hands) are priceless.

[buckhunter]

Thats crazy! Glad to hear your O.K.,,,sorry about the car. BH

[WheresMyBobber]

Cars burn like hell, especially if they start or get into the passenger compartment. That's the nature of burning plastics and synthetic materials (petroleum products). And they go up much faster than most people realize. Get your important stuff out if you can do so SAFELY, call 911 and stand back. Nothing else you can do. I've put out many, many car fires and once they reach the interior there's nothing you can do until we get there. And even then your car will likely be a total loss.

[tracker]

Yea even with the weigh station guys coming out with the extinguishers shoprtly after I got there it was too late.

[scubadad]

Onr of the local stations caught the video off a traffic cam. Sorry to here about the loss, glad you came out of it all.
www.komotv.com

[tracker]

Thank you very much for the link. It was not a traffic cam though. It was some people that stopped off from the freeway. I noticed them while they were filming. See video just seems to follow me around. :grin:

[tracker]

Just watched the video again and I think you are right. It is from up in the air so it has to be a traffic cam.

[HOGGEMIN]

Damn Dave I am glad U are ok and sorry to here about this tragity.

[scubadad]

It was just a assumption on my part that it was a D.O.T. cam. Bottom line is that you walked away.

[sinker]

Was it a newer car? The newer ones have sensors in the seat to determine the weight of the passenger so it knows how much force to use with the airbag.

think they're 5th generation airbags????

[tracker]

Yes it had those sensors. Thats what I am thinking must have shorted!

[Seefood Man]

VERY !! glad your OK. Personal items, even loving momentos, can be replaced. On the bright side that video will help with the insurance claim.