Me personally if that was my truck I would be getting my crap out of it. Then call the fire department. I would then be worried about things close to the truck catching fire. After the fiasco was over I would call the insurace company. This is why I have full coverage. Frankly I wouldn't want to keep the truck after it caught on fire anyway. I don't need headaches or money pits. I'm lucky enought to come out ahead is something bad happened to my truck.

 

I beleive he was talking about the guy in the video, not the original poster.

 

was it plugged in? Just asking!

 

To the original poster..sorry to hear of the loss, glad you contained it for the most part to the truck. It literally makes me sick to my stomach when I hear/see these things. Good luck with the ins.

 

Lubbockguy, I believe you mis-read my statement.

I was referring to the guy who was at the side of the road, shooting pictures, just letting his truck burn. The one directly above my statement, NOT the O/P's.

The O/P had no chance, but at least he TRIED with the garden hose. The guy in New Mexico didn't even try....

Pop

 

I didn't remember the video from last night of the guy watching his truck burn. I thought you were refering to the op. Kinda felt like you were kicking a guy when he was down. Sorry pop didn't mean to make a such a jab at ya now that I know what you were refering to.

 

All's well.

.....'cept for the ee-jut in New Mexico on I-25!

Pop

 

As for the video I posted, it appears he pretty much had exhausted his fire fighting resources at the point where the video starts. If you notice a blue gallon bottle laying on the ground probably had anti-freeze or water in it.

As always you have determine the situation your in and what the consequences would be. I like the fact that nobody....stopped to help. It has made me think, would I carry a 5,10 or 15 pound extinguisher?

 

small bolt cutters are handy as well in an electrical car fire situation, just be sure to cut the negative leads.....they are a lot cheaper to replace and can jury rigged a lot easier/safer.

 

Pictures by Starfirehover - Photobucket

Ok,
Just posted the "day after" photos at that link above. The insurance company gave me permission to open her up and get anything salvageable out. The other 3 were "easy" to open, but the front passenger door is "welded" shut it seams.
Unfortunately, only a couple of things that had been hidden behind the back seat were savable.
Still waiting on investigation details, so I can't post a "cause" yet. The suspicion is pointing towards an electrical short on/in/near the passenger side battery.

Addressing comments/questions...
Yes, I had an extinguisher in the truck, but by the time I got out there, the passenger compartment was already burning preventing me from getting to it. I also have several other extinguishers in the garage..... which were JUST on the other side of the garage door, RIGHT in front of where the truck was burning.. I was NOT going to open the garage to try and get them..

I can say a garden hose doesn't do much to a car fire but **** it off.. random spraying of the drivers side front tire and wheel well did keep the tire from exploding, but that's about it. Honestly, I spent about 1 minute trying to douse the truck fire, but since it wasn't helping, I switched my efforts to keeping the house intact..


No, I did not have any aftermarket items wired to the batteries. (Either one) I had 4 aftermarket lights on the front bumper, but I since I didn't have a switch for them yet, I had not bothered to run the wires. The wires were still duct taped in a bundle to the back of the lights on the bumper.

That's about it for now, If I missed any questions, I will try and get to them tomorrow.

Sad to say, but my financial situation is NOT going to let me get a "new" version of my F-250. I am no longer "qualified" to finance a vehicle, so I am going to be stuck using whatever the insurance gives me after paying off the loan company (and a bit I have in savings) to acquire a replacement.
Having said that, I Do have my eye on a lifted 2004 Excursion Diesel....
But my fiance is pushing for a Jeep wrangler unlimited 4 door... We shall see.

This is a long shot, but does anyone know anything about this excursion?
AutoWest Dodge - 2004 Ford Excursion

 

Just a note of advise if you have an engine fire and you have a extinguisher DO NOT OPEN THE HOOD stick the hose nozzle in through the grill, tire well, up under neath or any other opening available or if you have the ability put a hole in the hood and stick it in through there (Yeah I realize most people don't carry a fire axe or halligan bar around in there rig.)

Also a fire extinguisher is a heavy chuck of metal with pressurized contents if you have one in your rig secure it well! That is one thing you don't need flying around in an accident plus you will always know where it is. Also will avoid accidental discharge if someone kicks it under seat (Scary but funny story). I have a 5lb one mounted behind seat and also have another 10lb one mounter in bed right by tailgate so it is easy to grab.

No I don't have a fire phobia. Yes I have been in a vehicle that caught fire.

 

Really sucks to lose a vehicle to fire

 

Ya, been there too, 1995 escort, out of range of city FD, had to wait on the volunteers...

Needless to say, total loss. If it hadn't burned as much as it did, the insurance wouldn't have paid it off!

Edit: No Fire ex's, no shovel to throw dirt, it was 2am in the morning on my way home from work.....

 

Horrible turn of events. Glad no one was hurt and house damage was cosmetic. Good luck to you.

 

rule number 1 in vehicular fire fighting...approach from a 45 degree angle, not in line with the tires or the bumper.

rule number 1.1 don't open the hood if the engine compartment is "involved". if its already burning opening the hood will induce a fresh supply of air and create a "draft" effect turning your engine compartment in to a furnace.

my rule of thumb on rule 1.1 is if I pop the hood latch and flames lick out and over the nose of the hood it is time for a penetrating nozzle.

I have never had my own burn but I have put out a few..........