Are you equipped in case of fire?

I just missed the crash on the 401 eastbound near Hurontario last night. The two left lanes were blocked - traffic was backed up well past Mavis Road - and according to 680 News, one of the cars caught on fire.

According to this report, rescue squads were "on their way', but I bet by the time they got there the car was a cinder, if not a bomb.

Got me to wondering - did that driver have a fire extinguisher in his car?

I bet not.

Do you?

I know I don't.

We do in our Targa Newfoundland Mini rally car - fortunately when I did my double-end-O two years ago we didn't have to use it. Not that there was much left of that poor little car to burn...

Every car sold in Germany has to have one.

Wonder why we do not?

Then again, maybe the wisest thing to do in case of a car fire is just get the heck outta there. No car is worth dying for...

Comments

[World Cup 2010 Wheel Trims]

Obviously, make first step in case of a car fire is just get the heck outta there. Precaution is must, driver must have a fire extinguisher always. Thanks for the informative post.

[Sean McConnell]

We used to bolt in a small fire extinguisher in the interior of our street rods in the 70's/80's because it looked cool!

[Greg H]

Jim, I certainly agree that no car is worth dying for, but a fire extinguisher is cheap insurance. All modern cars have pressurized fuel in the engine compartment, and if a leak occurs and sprays onto the exhaust manifold, a fire can easily start. Why have you car burn to the ground because of a leak?

Just shut the keys off (after stopping, of course), which will cut off the fuel pump & supply, grab the extinguisher, and put it out.

I've also seen catalytic converter fires too.

Plus, one day you may be called on to put out a fire that has nothing to do with your car.

[Jim Kenzie]

Hi Greg:

Good points, especially your last one. One of my competitor/colleagues was being treated to a ride around Toronto some years ago in the original Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, surely one of the rarest (there IS only one) and most valuable cars of all time.

They were flagged down by an Ontario Hydro maintenance man who yelled that the car was on fire! A union in the fuel system had come loose and something had ignited the spilled fuel. Mr. Hydro pulled his extinguisher from his truck and quickly put out the fire.

Now, THAT'S an automotive hero!

Jim Kenzie