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If someone needs immediate help with vehicle fire, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A car, bus, or motorcycle is on fire or smoking heavily.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Get far away. Do not open hood. Call 101 from safe distance.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flames or smoke from engine bay, undercarriage, or interior.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Burning rubber or fuel smell.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Popping sounds from tires or fuel system.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Vehicle fires involve fuel, oil, batteries, and plastics that burn toxically and may explode.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tires and fuel tanks can burst without warning.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move yourself and passengers away from the vehicle immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not retrieve belongings from inside a burning car.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Direct bystanders and traffic away.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move at least 30 meters away and upwind of smoke.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Evacuate the area. Do not attempt to fight a vehicle fire unless you are trained and it is very small.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 101 from a safe distance — vehicle fires need fire service.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Give vehicle type, color, and location for responders.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report if anyone is still inside or injured nearby.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT open the hood — oxygen feeds the fire and flames can burst outward.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT stand downwind of smoke or near the fuel tank end.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use water on a fuel fire without proper training.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Opening the hood helps you see how bad a car fire is
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Opening the hood feeds oxygen to the fire and can cause a flash burn. Stay away and call 101.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Mixed chemicals
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bleach and acid, bleach and ammonia, or other cleaners were mixed and fumes are rising.
CO alarm
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your carbon monoxide detector is beeping or alarming.
CO poisoning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning from heater, generator, or enclosed fire.
Child electrical shock
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child has touched an electrical socket, bitten a cord, or pulled a live plug.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 101 — report vehicle fire and exact location (road, landmark).
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If on a highway, stand behind a barrier if available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not attempt to extinguish unless you have proper training and equipment.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anyone with burns or smoke inhalation needs ambulance (112).
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fuel spills after fire need hazmat response.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Severe burns from sudden flare-up.