some vids for the full effect....

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QETFFRjfaIo_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QETFFRjfaIo)

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEkbRRn4GL8&feature=related_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEkbRRn4GL8&feature=related)

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bje2tNQrmE_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bje2tNQrmE)

In a message dated 12/4/2010 8:34:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM writes:

a  leaking spark plug wire can ignite gasoline , if it wants to badly
enough,
and there's gas present.

gasoline is funny ..it can be on a  hot surface and not ignite..
but then, it can just as well too.

if  not a fuel related fire, electrical is the other likely source.
Saw one van  ....tangled high amperage wires under the rear floor rug going
to a big  booster amp under the back seat ..
if that line was fused, it might have  been at the consumer, rather than at
the source as would be proper..
The  poor guy ..
no fire extinguisher, and no way to get the battery  disconnected quickly..
he was able to get out, call 911, and watch the  entire interior burn up to
a
crisp ..
blew out all windows except one  vent window.
He called me from a couple of miles away to say 'you can  probably see the
smoke column.'
and I could.
total loss on that  van.

another ...diesel vanagon ..
positive battery cable rubbed on  the oil filter for about 5,000 miles until
it rubbed through ..
the zap  caught the oil filter oil on fire ...then the plastic parts on top
of the  engine started burning or melting .
fortunately, a power company truck  happened by with a fire extinguisher.
that guy was lucky.
waterboxers  are less likely to catch on fire in the engine area due to
electrical  reasons I'd say.

*all* aftermarket installations like radios and such  are always suspect.

and really, besides fire extinguisher, everyone  should have a plan for
getting the battery disconnected like 'now.'
Had  a 71 Bus catch on fire electrically once too. It happens.  Saved  that
one though, just some inconvenience is all.
Seems like there have  been very frequent house and business fires this
winter where I am  ..
like one every week or two at least.