Vehicle Fires
If Insured
Contact your insurance agent who can explain coverage and will assist you with your claim. If your vehicle is damaged in a structure fire, contact both your home insurance and vehicle insurance agents.
If Uninsured
If vehicle is repairable, a list of repair facilities can be obtained in the yellow pages of your phone directory, under Automobile Repairing and Service. If towing is required, refer to the yellow pages of your phone directory, under Automobile Road Service.
If vehicle is a total loss (beyond repair) it may have some value to a salvage yard. A list of vehicle salvage companies can be obtained in the yellow pages of your phone directory, under Automobile Salvage.
Fire Department Procedures
Occasionally, fire crews will have to force entry into the vehicle to check for fire extension and extinguish the fire. To ensure that the fire is completely extinguished, it may be necessary for fire crews to:
- Cut and/or disconnect the battery cables to prevent electrical shorting of wires where insulation of wiring has been damaged.
- Complete removal of padding from seats, especially where cotton padding is used.
- Forced entry into passenger compartment, engine compartment, and trunk of vehicle to extinguish, check for extension, and gain access to battery cables.