Oh yeah! I'm convinced. When I used to race my G-Production Sprite,
the SCCA rules made you carry a fire Extinguisher or extinguisher
system. Why people don't generally do that in their street cars, which
are far less safe from a fire breaking out, is beyond me.
Reid
'79 Spitfire
Subject: Re: Do you carry a fire extinguisher
Author: "Flinthoof Ponypal" [SMTP:Flinters@picarefy.com] at MSXGATE
Date: 3/5/99 7:54 PM
The last time I had an engine fire was quite an experience. I was a
shop
manager for a clutch and brake shop in Seattle. I took a customer's '88
Chevy S-10 Blazer for a test drive after a clutch job and transmission
overhaul. I got a few blocks away when folks were pointing at me and at
the ground at stoplights. Another few blocks and more stares and shouts.
Eventually I was able to make out the words as 'fire!' I pulled over as
soon as I could and got out of the truck. Underneath, sure enough, was a
dripping flame of plastic insulation. A small flame to be sure, but fire
none the less. Smoke was starting to pour out of the hood and wheel wells.
I had no tools or fire extinguisher with me on this customer car that was
finally all fixed up. Then I did something stupid:
I opened the hood.
You should NEVER do that. It feeds the fire with new open sources of
oxygen. In my case I got lucky as the fire was a small electrical one.
The mechanic hadn't paid much attention to where he was routing wires when
reassembling the components and had laid the battery cable against the
exhaust manifold. Once it heated up and melted, the cable arc-welded
itself to the manifold. The cable was cherry red all the way back to the
battery. There was nothing to put out the flames and smouldering
insulation except for what was at hand- or foot.
I scooped up handfuls of water from a puddle and threw that on there.
Didn't do much to help it at all. Then I struck on the idea of using the
mud from the puddle. THAT worked. Cold, wet, sticky mud kept the flames
from going anywhere, but the electrical system was still frying itself.
Other wires were smoking badly, such as those to the alternator. Adrenalin
then helped out as I ripped the battery cable off the battery, damaging the
battery (side terminal), but that killed the electrical short and the
emergency was over. The truck was saved.
Ironically >I< got chewed out for throwing all the mud onto the engine
and
wiring making it hard for the mechanic to repair all the damage he had
caused by his incorrect wiring. Heh... I suppose I should have let the
truck burn.
To end the story, the shop owner didn't tell the customer what had
happened and said the truck was waiting for some more parts. We kept it
for another few days for the smoke to clear out of the cab, plus the
rewiring and repairwork being done. I didn't care for keeping the customer
in the dark like that and had to leave that job. If it was my own truck,
I'd would have wanted to know.
Anyways, I now keep a fire extinguisher within easy access. And as
long
as I have it, I'll never need it.
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