Lacey, Washington – Car Fire Sparked by Running Over Weed Killer on Road

Lacey, Washington (May 7, 2019) – A vehicle caught fire as it was heading east on Martin Way East on Tuesday afternoon. The driver was able to escape without any injuries, and there were no other reported injuries in the incident. The vehicle however, was destroyed by the fire.

The cause of the fire, a bottle of weed killer, was revealed by a detective on Thursday. A surveillance camera in the area showed a bottle of weed killer falling off a truck five vehicles ahead of the victim’s car. Because the underside of a car’s engine or exhaust pipe could be hot enough to ignite weed killer, the container likely exploded as it was run over by the car and ultimately caused the fire. The driver was able to pull into Brittany Lane Northeast, where he exited the vehicle and found the flames under the car. There were no reports of road closure caused by the incident.

About Car Fire

Car fires are a cause for alarm and can present a very dangerous situation. No matter the cause, all passengers are advised to get as far away from the car when it ignites. The nature of the vehicle and the materials used in it builds potential for big fires and explosions.

To minimize the risk of car fires, it is always best to make sure that a vehicle is well-maintained and in good condition. While there are many known causes of car fires, a fire does not always start with just one cause. More often, a number of factors are present when a car fire happens. This makes investigation difficult, but by listing the known causes of car fires, car owners can take the proper steps to analyse their own vehicle’s safety. Some factors do not always directly start the fire but raise the risk for creating it; these factors are design flaws, vehicle neglect, the use of faulty electrical or hybrid batteries, and the spilling or leaking of flammable liquids . On the other hand, factors that can directly cause vehicle fires are car crashes, arson, faulty wiring, and overheating car parts and components. The top two causes for car fires are electrical system failures and leaks in the fuel system. In identifying these fire risks, one can then properly assess their vehicle to see if any of these risks are present. Like with all fire risks, early detection can help prevent any damage, loss, injuries and fatalities.

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