How to survive car fires

A car fire is an ever-present risk. Time and again we come across countless stories of people who were unfortunately caught in car fires. While some people, like Rishabh Pant, are luckily rescued. Some are not as lucky and have to fend for themselves. Just like driving, surviving a car fire is also a learned skill. In this article, we will look at steps that can help us survive car fires, and how to prevent car fires from happening at all.

The first rule for dealing with car fires is to not panic. I know that it is easier said than done. Thankfully, in most cases, car fires propagate slowly and provide sufficient warning signs.
The engine compartment is the origin of 60% of car fires. Fires that start in the engine compartment may take 6-10 min to spread to the passenger compartment. This is sufficient time to take the car calmly and safely to the side.
Once you have taken the car to the side, turn off the engine and pull up the handbrake.
Your priority should be for a safe exit for all car occupants. Only come back for other items if you have sufficient time.
Once out of the car, warn surrounding cars and pedestrians of the impending danger. Make sure everyone is as far away from the car as possible. Do not open the hood in the engine compartment fires. This allows more oxygen to come in and increases the fire’s intensity.
Use a fire extinguisher only for small fires. Stay away from large fires and call the fire brigade. Water may not help all the time as most car fire sources i.e., oil, electrical, and fuel are unaffected by water.
Fires originating inside or close to the passenger compartment are much more dangerous as you get even lesser time to evacuate. Getting everyone out of the car still remains a priority. But, all occupants must take extra care of covering their noses and mouths. The toxic fumes in car fires can you unconscious!
The biggest risk in passenger compartment fires is that they can cause the doors to get locked due to mechanical or electrical failures. The only exit option is to break the windows. Although kicking the window down is an option, always keep an ‘emergency hammer and seat belt cutter tool’ in your car. This tool makes it much easier to break the window glass or cut open belts as belt buckles can get hot.

Once you and other occupants are safely outside the car, call the fire brigade or police for help. I will also recommend taking photos/videos of the burning vehicle and spot as they will act as evidence during the insurance claim.

How to prevent car fires

Prevention is always better than a cure. The best way to survive a car fire is to prevent it from happening. Here are some tips for preventing car fires:

The US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) study shows that mechanical failures (e.g. fluid leakages) and electric failures (e.g. short circuits, high load) are the top car fire causes.
Mechanical failures can be prevented through regular maintenance checks for fuel and oil systems. Remember that almost all car fluids, including coolants, are flammable and leakage can lead to fires.
Electric failures are caused primarily due to poor after-market installations of headlights, dash cams, media systems, etc. Always get the help of trained and trusted technicians to install these systems, especially if you are hard-wiring them. In my experience, heavy-load headlights (90/100W bulbs or higher) are highly susceptible to short circuits and are one of the top causes of car fires.
In addition to regular maintenance and electric checks, it is also advisable to not carry any flammable material such as alcohol, perfumes, or lighters) or fire source (cigarettes) in the passenger compartment. Even some food items such as potato chips can accelerate fires.

Manage fires caused by crashes

Some car crashes can also lead to fires. Fires due to car collisions are the top cause of car fire deaths as per the US NFPA data. This is because severe crashes often jam doors and even cause a loss of consciousness. An ‘emergency hammer and seat belt cutter tool’ is highly useful in such scenarios. Defensive driving is an effective way to prevent most road crashes.

Surviving electric vehicle fires.

Electric vehicles are generally safer than vehicles run by internal combustion engines. However, electric vehicle fire risks remain.

Electric vehicle fires burn stronger and longer than normal fires. Never try to douse them with fire extinguishers.
Always call for the fire brigade and stay far away from the vehicle till help arrives.
Electric vehicle fires can occur randomly in damaged batteries or due to overcharging. Inspect the batteries and connections at the slightest hint of damage. Especially if the vehicle is involved in a crash.

Car fires are a preventable hazard.

Car fires are unpredictable and dangerous. They can also cause panic. In case of a fire, always remember that the priority should be the safety of all occupants and people around the vehicle. Everything else comes later.

Just be prepared with the right tools and take precautions to prevent car fires from happening at all.

Last Updated on May 27, 2023 by RSG