What to Do When a Car Catches Fire?
2 Answers
When a car catches fire, the following steps should be taken: 1. If the car engine catches fire, the driver should stop the vehicle immediately, allow passengers to open the doors and exit, then cut off the power supply, with special attention to protecting the fuel tank and the radiator containing antifreeze; 2. If a fire breaks out during refueling, stop fueling immediately, quickly drive the car out of the gas station, and use a fire extinguisher or clothing to extinguish the flames on the fuel tank. Common causes of car fires include: 1. Damage to the gasoline pipeline; 2. Short circuits caused by damaged electrical insulation leading to fires; 3. Friction between damaged or detached car parts and the ground, igniting combustible materials; 4. Items such as gloves, rags, or gauze left on the exhaust pipe after car maintenance, which can ignite due to high temperatures.
If my car suddenly catches fire, my first reaction is to immediately pull over, turn off the engine, and get everyone out of the vehicle and move at least 50 meters away. Forget about luggage or valuables—saving lives is the priority. Then call 119 for emergency services or 122 for traffic accident assistance. Never attempt to open the hood or use regular water to extinguish the fire, as this can actually make the flames worse. Since I started driving over a decade ago, I’ve made it a habit to keep a small fire extinguisher in the car. If the fire is small, using the extinguisher from a safe distance to target the base of the flames can help in an emergency. If the situation becomes uncontrollable, retreat to a safe distance and wait for rescue. There are many reasons a car might catch fire, such as aging or short-circuited wiring, fuel leaks, or an overheated engine. Regular maintenance of the battery and wiring, along with engine compartment checks, can reduce risks. Once on the highway, I experienced a minor smoke incident and handled it in time to avoid disaster. Remembering this procedure can truly save lives in critical moments—safety always comes first.
