A List of Actions To Take If Your Car Is On Fire

by Ronel Forbes

December 16, 2021

A car is a complicated mechanism that includes both mechanical and electrical components. Fire is one of the most common threats in an automobile due to the presence of many frictional components, flammable chemicals, and intricate electric wiring. If you’re driving a car, the last thing you need is a fire.

A fire in a moving car can be fatal, as it can harm the vehicle’s key components.

In the event of a collision, gasoline leaking, tire burst, or electrical failure, a car may catch fire. The explanation could be anything, but a fire in a moving car is perilous since you must bring the vehicle to a complete stop to escape danger.

A fire in a parked car has unique issues. This article will go over all of the potential fire hazards in a car and give you the necessary precautions to avoid a fire in your vehicle.

Continue reading to learn more about Car Fire Safety and what you should and should not do if your car catches fire.

Read also: Why Get Motor Car Insurance?

Guide on Car Fire Safety:

One of the most important components of owning a car is knowing how to avoid a car fire. You should be prepared to take evasive action in the event of a fire in your vehicle. You should also be able to determine the source of the fire so that you can put it out quickly.

When your car is engulfed in flames, recognizing the cause of the fire and taking the required precautions becomes critical. This article will also give you advice on what to do if your car catches fire.

What Should You Do If Your Car Is On Fire:

A burning car is a dangerous circumstance since it can cause panic among the passengers. Car fires can occur for a variety of reasons, and they can be fatal at times because a car’s fuel tank is packed with extremely flammable liquids such as gasoline or diesel.

So, if your car catches fire, what should you do? The following are some examples of automobile fire scenarios and what you should do if you find yourself in one:

While you are Driving the Car:

Stop and turn off the ignition: If you spot a fire in your car while driving, the first thing you should do is pull over to the side of the road and turn off the ignition.
Get out of the car as soon as possible: The next step is to exit the vehicle as swiftly as possible. You should also assist other passengers in exiting the vehicle securely.
Before turning off the ignition, you can also unlock all of the doors and windows.
Get away from the burning car: As soon as you exit the vehicle, move away from the fire. There are combustible liquids in an automobile, which could cause an explosion.
As a result, keep a safe distance from the burning vehicle. Also, if feasible, warn oncoming cars of the impending hazard.
Use a fire extinguisher if you have one: If you have a fire extinguisher, use it to put out the fire before it spreads.
Keep in mind that you should only do this if it is safe to do so. Because fire threats are unpredictable, it’s always a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your car.
When a car is on fire, do not attempt to put out the fire by opening the bonnet/boot. A fire in the engine compartment or beneath the car is extremely dangerous, and attempting to open the boot/bonnet may cause the flames to flare up and burn your hands.
Contact the fire department and the traffic police: If the fire is out of control, you should call the fire department right away, as well as the traffic police. The traffic cops will assist in informing oncoming motorists of the situation.
Notify your car’s authorized service center: Notify your car’s authorized service center of the problem.
You can also request a towing vehicle to carry the damaged car to the nearest service center if you explain the extent of the fire’s damage.

In Traffic When the Car Is Parked/Stopped:

It’s difficult to put out a fire in a parked automobile or while stuck in traffic. Before taking any evasive action, you must be aware of your surroundings. If you ever find yourself in one of these situations, keep the following points in mind:

Turn off the engine and ignition: If you see smoke or flames in your automobile, turn off the engine and ignition and exit the vehicle immediately.
Consider unlocking the car’s doors so that the vehicle can be easily accessed to put out the fire.
Get away from the burning vehicle: As soon as you exit the vehicle, move away from the fire. An automobile contains electrical components and combustible liquids that could create an explosion and debris to fall on you.
As a result, keep a safe distance from the burning car.
Other vehicles and pedestrians should be alerted: If your car is burning in the middle of the road, it may cause damage to other vehicles.
As a result, warn other road users to stay away from the flaming vehicle. Also, people should be warned to stay away from cars.
Contact the fire service very away, since a burning car in the middle of the road can be quite dangerous. The fire crew will be able to immediately control the situation and extinguish the flames.
Never try to extinguish a fire on your own: Never try to extinguish a fire on your own. Because the vehicle is in the middle of the road, it is quite likely to be hit by approaching vehicles.
Furthermore, putting out a fire without a basic understanding of how to cope with such situations is dangerous.

Motor Car Insurance On Fire Claims:

Is it possible to file a car insurance claim if your vehicle has been damaged by fire? This question has two possible answers: No and Yes. No, if your automobile is covered by third-party liability insurance, and yes, if you have comprehensive car insurance coverage.

A third-party liability insurance policy does not contain coverage for Own Damage, whereas a comprehensive automobile insurance policy includes both third-party liability and Own Damage coverage.

Damage to your car caused by an accident, fire, and explosion, and damage caused by man-made/natural calamities are all covered under a comprehensive car insurance policy. So, you can apply for a claim if your car is damaged due to a fire accident.

If your car is damaged by fire, notify your insurance carrier as soon as possible and begin the claim process.

Drive with protection by having a Motorcar Insurance that is right for you. Get a quote now and #BeSecuredAndInsured with us!