Truck Fires

[Cluggy619]

Sometimes it funny when a 4 wheeler catches on fire..

I was going south on US 114 when the pickup in front of me threw a lit ciggy out the window. It flew around, and landed in back of his truck. Caught the moving pads he had on fire. I blasted on the horn, he looked in his rearview mirror, and saw the fire. He pulled over, and started beating on the moving pads. I got out, took the fire extingusher, and put the flame out...

"I wonder how that happened?" he ask.

Didn't say nothing to him, and laugh as I left. Nature has it's way of gettin rid of the stupid....should have let nature run it's course.

[inmate1577]

When I was driving wreckers I'd get called to an accident scene be it two cars or just a car fire.
But occasionally you would get the owner standing there saying "My car...my new car...." and just freaking out.

I would take them gently aside and with much sympathy, mentally slap them in the head and say "Just be glad you are here to bitch about it"
An arm, leg or life is not worth any material posession.

I agree about the smell of vehicle fires. Nothing worse. Hell, I've smelled dead bodies that had been in the trunk for two weeks and a vehicle fire smells alot worse and it stays in your sinus' for days.

[allan5oh]

Seems a lot of fires are related to starter wires, since they're not fused. I always keep a 9/16 wrench handy. You'll never put out an electrical fire with a fire extinguisher, the wire is getting hot from CURRENT. Cut the current, then MAYBE you can fight the fire, depending on how big it is.

But I agree with you guys, let it burn. If it's around a fireplace fire and wont go out instantly, I'm headed for the hills.

I've heard of older freightliners having the starter wires beside the fuel lines. I think that's illegal now. If the starter jams or the driver turns the engine over too much, the fuel lines can catch on fire!

One thing, fires can actually be a sign that trucks are not maintained properly. I constantly check the starter wires, and other unfused wires, for wear and rubbing. Mechanical non-electrical fires are inexcusable IMO, mostly brake related I imagine. Some of those might be caused by leaking wheel seals?

[Mr. Ford95]

Exactly allan5oh, you have to cut the power source to put out an electrical fire.

[Gearjammin' Penguin]

If mine catches fire I'll get on the CB ...and quick like!

More than likely I'll be hauling steaks or beef.

"Break on 19...I need some barbeque sauce and A1"

Man, how could you? You forgot the most important thing at the BBQ.

"How 'bout that beer hauler just passed me--we got us a 10-33 right here..."

[fireman932003]

You'll never put out an electrical fire with a fire extinguisher, the wire is getting hot from CURRENT. Cut the current, then MAYBE you can fight the fire, depending on how big it is.

I beg to Differ!