Vehicle fires rise in Central Virginia as temperatures climb

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WWBT) - Warmer weather means more vehicle fires across Central Virginia, with at least three reported in recent days from Chesterfield to Petersburg.

No one was hurt in the fires, but fire officials say if a car catches fire, every second counts.

One of the main causes for car fires during the summer months is poor car maintenance, according to fire officials.

Central Virginia is seeing a rise in vehicle fires, with at least three in recent days. Henrico Fire says if it happens to you, your next few seconds matter.

“So anytime you find yourself driving, and your car catches on fire, you want to pull over to a safe location as quickly as possible. Try not to park in any tall grass or anything, and then get away from the vehicle. Get everybody out of the vehicle. Get at least 100 feet away from the vehicle,” said Capt. James Mellon.

That distance is critical. Mellon says if flames take over or the car explodes, get to safety and call 911.

If it’s an electric vehicle, fire officials say go even farther, because those batteries can put off more toxic smoke than a gas fire.

If you’re hauling gasoline or propane, Henrico Fire said to make sure they are secured and can’t roll around.

“If you have to transport gasoline or propane in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, we recommend that you drive with the windows down. It reduces the amount of vapors that will be in the vehicle and, of course, will be less likely to catch on fire,” Mellon said.

A lot of these fires are preventable. Henrico Fire said basic maintenance can keep a hot summer drive from turning into an emergency.

“That’s the big one that causes a lot of car fires. People don’t get their oil changed, their radiators are low, the engines overheat, and that, of course, causes flammable liquids, oils, brake fluids, gasoline, all of them to heat up,” Mellon said.

Mellon stressed that once you get out of the burning car, you shouldn’t turn back for anything. You can also keep a small fire extinguisher in your car, which can be helpful in situations where the fire is blocking someone from escaping.