On a very cold January day, Ms. Sansouci parked her vehicle and plugged it in for the night. Within the next hour, a fire broke out in the vehicle. Yet, it had been serviced just a few days earlier, and no problems had been found…

So why did this vehicle catch fire?

Every day, motor vehicles of all kinds catch fire for various reasons, such as mechanical or electrical failure, a collision, or human intervention. All these scenarios could be considered, but is that really possible when the vehicle in question looks like a pile of scrap metal?

In some cases, despite the vehicle’s appearance, an examination will reveal clues that could point to a probable cause of the fire and a potential course of action.

Mechanical and electrical failures are likely the most common causes of fires, regardless of the vehicle’s age. A fire caused by these failures can occur at any time, even when the vehicle is not running. For example, a mechanical failure can cause a combustible and/or flammable liquid (such as engine oil or fuel) to leak into the engine compartment.

When this liquid comes into contact with a hot surface in the engine, such as the exhaust manifold or the turbocharger, it can ignite. Thus, a failure that occurs while the vehicle is in motion could lead to a fire starting within minutes of the vehicle coming to a stop.

Even when the vehicle is not in use, electrical circuits remain energized. Consequently, a defective or damaged electrical component can cause a short circuit and overheat, which could lead to a fire. In addition, the installation of accessories such as an electric engine block heater may also pose a risk of failure due to improper installation or use.

In the case of Ms. Sansouci’s vehicle, special attention should be paid to the engine block heater and its power cable. Photo 2 shows the model of an accessory typically installed on passenger cars. Photo 3 shows the typical wiring for an engine block heater.

A fire resulting from human intervention—whether accidental or intentional—must always be considered a possible scenario. Indeed, a fire may be caused by a faulty repair. Occasionally, an act of vandalism—the motives for which can vary, including vandalism, intimidation, and the destruction of evidence (related to another crime)—can cause a vehicle fire. Finally, a more common scenario is an attempt to file a fraudulent insurance claim.

An examination of such a vehicle by a mechanical engineer specializing in this field (CVFI—Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator) can reveal specific characteristics of the failure mode that led to the fire, even when the vehicle has sustained significant damage. This process applies equally to agricultural, forestry, and construction machinery.

Occasionally, the analysis may be facilitated by known recalls on certain vehicles for issues that could lead to a fire. The vehicle inspection could therefore help establish a link between the fire and these recalls in order to initiate the claims process.

Finally, you can search for recalls on the Transport Canada website at the following address: http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=fra