The three (3) files below are news files provided for additional information. All files can be played with the Windows Media Player. If you right click on the link and go to "Save Target As..." you can download and play these files.                              A car fire. (.wpl file) Traffic Accident news article from ABC News. Static Refueling Fires. (.wpl file) How they start. (.avi file) Examples from the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)                              Examples of water reacting with Magnesium at vehicle fires.                              A stolen vehicle fire.  Magnesium explodes when water hits under the steering column. Bedford Fire Department's Wagon 1  operating on a vehicle fire on the Martin Luther King Byway.  1:10 into the video you will see what happens when water hits magnesium around the transfer case of the Jeep Liberty.

Index for Vehicle Fires Hazards to consider when fighting a vehicle fire. Vehicle Fire Size Up and Priorities. Attacking the Fire. Alternative Fueled Vehicle Crashes. Emergency Response Guides for Hybrid Vehicles. Test your knowledge about vehicle fires. View a PowerPoint Presentation from The City of Seattle Fire Department Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Tank Explosion Use your Page Down key or your mouse button to advance through the slides.

(2007) Number of Road Transportation Vehicles/Equipment 254,403,081 (2008) Number of Road Transportation Vehicles/Equipment 255,917,664 (2009) Number of Road Transportation Vehicles/Equipment 254,212,611 U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 287,000 vehicle fires per year in 2003- 2007. These fires caused an average of 480 civilian deaths, 1,525 civilian injuries, and $1.3 billion in direct property damage. Highway vehicles accounted for 267,600 (93%) of the reported vehicle fires and 441 (92%) of the associated deaths. Aircraft fires accounted for less than 1% of the vehicle fires, but 6% of the associated deaths. The majority of aircraft fire deaths (4% of all vehicle fire deaths) resulted from fires in personal, business, or utility aircraft. Aircraft fires were the only type of vehicle fires with more civilian deaths than civilian injuries. Overall, highway vehicle fires were involved in 17% of reported U.S. fires, 12% of U.S. fire deaths, 8% of U.S. civilian fire injuries, and 9% of the direct property damage from reported fires. On average, 31 highway vehicle fires were reported per hour. These fires killed one person a day. Vehicle fire deaths also hit a new low. A generally downward trend can be seen in the rolling averages. The majority of persons killed or injured in traffic crashes were drivers (65 percent), followed by passengers (27 percent), motorcycle riders (4 percent), pedestrians (3 percent), and pedalcyclists (2 percent).

Where Fires Occurred - 2007 / Where Fires Occurred - 2008 / Where Fires Occurred - 2009
Where Fires Occurred - 2010

There were 1,557,500 fires in the United States.  A decrease of 5.2% from the year before.  Of these: There were 1,451,500 fires in the United States.  A decrease of 6.8% from the year before.  Of these: There were 1,348,500 fires in the United States.  A decrease of 7.1% from the year before.  Of these: There were 1,331,500 fires in the United States.  A decrease of 1.0% from the year before.  Of these: 769,000 fires occurred in outside properties. 700,500 fires occurred in outside properties. 649,000 fires occurred in outside properties. 634,000 fires occurred in outside properties. 530,500 occured in structures. 515,000 occured in structures. 480,500 occured in structures. 482,000 occured in structures. 414,000 of all structure fires occurred in residential properties. 403,000 of all structure fires occurred in residential properties. 377,000 of all structure fires occurred in residential properties. 384,000 of all structure fires occurred in residential properties. 258,000 fires occurred in vehicles. 236,000 fires occurred in vehicles. 219,000 fires occurred in vehicles. 215,500 fires occurred in vehicles. 20,500 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred. 17,500 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred. 15,000 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred. 14,000 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred. 385 civilians died in highway vehicle fires. 365 civilians died in highway vehicle fires. 280 civilians died in highway vehicle fires. 310 civilians died in highway vehicle fires. Mechanical or electrical failures caused roughly three-quarters of the highway vehicle fires, but only 11% of the deaths. Collisions and overturns were factors contributing to the ignition in only 3% of the fires, but fires resulting from these incidents caused 58% of these vehicle fire deaths.

Materials used in the average automobile

Steel continues to be the dominant material in automobiles because of the strength it provides.  It accounts for more than half of the total weight in cars made over the past two decades.

Polyvinyl chloride or 'PVC' is a modern synthetic material and an important member of the extensive polymers 'family'. In automotive applications it is the second most important polymer (after polypropylene).

Ten years ago, about 150 pounds of plastics were on the average American vehicle.  Today, more than 250 pounds are being used.  More than 320 pounds of plastic will be used on 2010 cars.  Also, every pound of plastic on an automobile replaces two to three pounds of other materials.

Aluminum is the third most-used material in automobiles.

New dangers firefighters face in the event of vehicle fires

Automakers are packing cars and trucks with new devices to increase safety for motorists, such as airbags that can fire off twice and are located in doors, roofs, dash boards, and seats.  But the same equipment poses dangers to rescuers, who often are not aware the hazards even exist.
"Pre-tensioning" seat belts, which use a charge of gunpowder to yank against an occupant during impact, can explode in the hands of a firefighter working to cut someone free.  A retractable rollbar that springs up behind the seats in some convertibles can cause serious injuries to an unsuspecting paramedic.  Metal detonators tucked into rooftops to inflate side curtain airbags can go off like missiles if cut into by rescuers, firing into the cabin of the vehicle.
Emergency workers are used to dealing with the standard hazards of gas tanks and 12-volt batteries, but technology is changing so quickly that many cannot keep up with what's on the street, from cars with as many as a dozen airbags to gas-electric hybrid vehicles with batteries powerful enough to electrocute a person.
It's not just safety devices that have emergency workers concerned.  New fuel or engine technologies also pose risks, such as cars with explosive propane gas tanks or powerful electric batteries.
In today's cars and light trucks, batteries are appearing in wheel wells, under the rear seat and even in the trunk.  Also a back-up power supply known as a capacitor is being used.  Unfortunately, these devices can sometimes hold a back-up charge for up to 30 minutes.
Laptop computers, DVD players, or even MP3-type units plugged into power ports on today's cars will supply power to air bags even after the battery has been disconnected.
Gas struts are used to hold hoods and hatchbacks in the open position.  They also are common in bumper locations.  These devices have the potential to be launched from the vehicle with explosive force in fire situations.
A Montgomery County firefighter, noticed something strange recently when he approached a wrecked car.  Though the engine was shut off, the injured driver kept her foot on the brake.  It turned out the car was still running on silent electric power and could have surged forward, hitting rescuers or bystanders.
In addition to running silently, the battery in a hybrid packs enough voltage to kill a person -- more than 650 volts AC in some hybrids, compared to 12 volts in the standard car battery.
The average vehicle may come with 4-6 airbags, standard or optional, including inexpensive vehicles.  BMW's new 7, 6 and 5 Series can come equipped with 10-12 airbags, including knee airbags in the lower dash.  Approximately 70% of new vehicles have side impact airbags or side curtain airbags.  New safety innovations will change the way all first responders will work around these vehicles.
Dozens of firemen have been hurt by airbags that did not deploy during the crash but did explode during the rescue.  It is especially dangerous for a rescue worker to get between an airbag and the patient. Anything from static electricity to emergency cutting equipment can set off an undeployed air bag.
How do you know where airbags and sensors are located on the more than 800 airbag equipped vehicles on our roads today?   Without regular safety training and the use of reference materials you are literally entering vehicles blindfolded.

Airbag Power and Force Force of 4,000-6,000 lbs. per square inch results in the first few inches of an airbag deployment.  The adult human chest can experience injury at 3,000 lbs per square inch. Airbag Inflation Most airbags use sodium aizide, the solid pellet form of a rocket propellant. Some systems are compressed argon gas, helium or nitrocellulose. Frontal Airbag Speed Airbags have been clocked up to 300 mph.  Most airbags deploy at 200-300 mph. Depowered airbags deploy between 100-200 mph. Side airbags deploy 3 times the speed as frontal airbags.