Equipped with your fire extinguisher and your good intentions, please keep in mind that opening up the engine hood if you suspect an engine fire is NOT what you want to do if you want to keep your good looks.  Just what the fire needs to kiss your face is a vent aimed at you and fresh oxygen.

Try to aim the fire extinguisher at the fire from below, through a vent, radiator or wheel well.  If you have to open the hood to get to a fire that is not at full fury, it would seem sensible to open it in a crouching position, face and body well below the path of flames as you open the hood.  Try stopping by your local fire department and ask them how to be effective and safe in this kind of situation.

It might be good to get 2 extinguishers while your at it.  I have seen people try to put out an engine fire using up two bottles.  

Anyway I applaud your sense of good will by trying to help someone, even though it was frustrating.   At some level everyone that witnessed your attempt (even through the list) had to be confronted with the question of their own willingness to be involved.  A significant question that we could all struggle with before the need arises....

Henry

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JordanVw@AOL.COM 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2001 6:00 AM
  Subject: ENGINE FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  yesterday on the way home from work, i was traveling south on a major local 
  expressway, and spotted a pickup truck that has just pulled over to the 
  shoulder in the northbound lanes..  what i thought was steam billowing out 
  from under the hood..  well, it wasnt steam.    driver jumped out, popped 
  hood open, and saw flames..slammed hood..  i pulled over.. ran across median, 
  asked if he had a fire extinguisher, no, he didnt.. neither did i..    
  NObody was stopping..  people driving by at 80mph, maybe glancing over their 
  shoulder..   guy is panicking at this point, there is no buildings around, 
  nowhere to get a fire extinguisher..   finally another guy stops, and we 
  direct traffic off the road at the exit..   ran up to a semi who was waiting 
  there, asked if i could use his fire extinguisher, and he said "sorry, i dont 
  got one" while i could plainly see a compartment on the side of his rig 
  marked "FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSIDE'  people dont care..   at this point, the 
  flames have totally engulfed the cab of the pickup, and the front tires are 
  exploding as they burn.. someone finally calls the fire dept on their cell, 
  but its too late..  there is this huge fireball on the side of the road, and 
  we get back for fear of the gas tank blowing up..   all we can do is sit 
  there and watch his truck burn..prolly the only car the guy had.. by the time 
  the fire dept gets there, there is nothing left of the truck..   
  moral of the story?    
  CHANGE YOUR FUEL LINES..    
  CARRY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER 
  and remember, people dont give a sh*t, they'll drive right past you and watch 
  your car burn..   
  went right out and bought a fire extinguisher at kmart, you'd be suprised, 
  theyre pretty cheap, under $30 gets you a nice sized one, keep it under your 
  back seat/etc. 
  just a FYI.. 
  chris 

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