As another wave of cold weather envelops Richland County, some drivers enjoy a warm commute in the mornings while others have experienced problems with their vehicles overheating and, in worst-case scenarios, actually catching fire.
One driver traveling on I-71 northbound had vehicle trouble around 10:25 a.m. on Monday. Captain Rick Spellman of Troy Township Fire Department explained that the female driver of a 2002 Ford Taurus had some mechanical work done on her vehicle a few weeks ago, and noticed the indicator light turn on as she was driving Monday morning.
“She started losing power so she pulled off on the side of the road and it started on fire; it was a working car fire,” said Spellman. “The engine compartment was on fire, and it got back into the passenger compartment also.”
Spellman and firefighter/paramedic Kelli Collinsworth responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, and the driver was unharmed. The incident marked the fourth vehicle fire Troy Township Fire Department has responded to this winter season.
“To my knowledge I don’t know of any particular reason as to why (vehicle fires) are happening this time of year as opposed to any other time of year,” said Troy Township Fire Chief Rich Compton.
Compton explained any number of factors could contribute to a vehicle catching fire, from fuel leaks and electrical problems to overheated brakes or transmissions. However, many times a vehicle that has merely overheated can be mistaken for a vehicle fire.
“We get a few calls on that too where (the vehicle) is just overheating and people see steam coming from under the hood and think it’s on fire, which is an okay thing. We’d rather be safe than sorry, but that happens,” said Compton.
Firefighters at the Mansfield Fire Department echoed Compton’s concerns, noting many calls they have received about vehicle fires have actually been overheated vehicles.
“That happens a lot on Interstate 71,” said Mansfield Captain Dave Compton, brother to Troy Township Fire Chief Rich Compton. “People with cell phones drive by and see a car with smoke coming from it and call it in and continue on their way, and don’t stop to find out what’s really going on. I would say 75 to 80 percent of the time it’s an overheated vehicle. By the time the fire department gets up there, the vehicle is gone and there’s nothing there.”
Dave said an overheated vehicle is easy to cool down, simply by fixing the radiator or coolant-leaking problem or adding more water to the vehicle. Extended idle times can also contribute to a vehicle overheating, although an idling vehicle is illegal according to Ohio law.
“In Ohio law it’s been in the books for 30 years; it’s illegal to start your car in Ohio and leave it unattended,” said Mansfield Fire Investigator Harlan Barrick. “That law was written prior to remote starters, so when the law was written you had to use a key. Technically it was illegal to even leave your keys in the car, and it still is.”
The law specifically states the owner or operator of a vehicle shall not cause or allow a vehicle to idle for more than five minutes in any 60-minute period. An exception to the law is when the outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit; however, idling is still limited to 10 minutes in any 60-minute period. To prevent a safety or health emergency. An exception is also made if a vehicle idles when operating defrosters, heaters, and air conditioners or when installing equipment.
“Most manufacturers recommend 15 seconds of warm-up time; they don’t recommend extended warm-up times like everybody likes to do,” added Mansfield firefighter Mike Carey.
To prevent a vehicle from overheating or catching fire, Fire Chief Rich Compton recommends making sure the vehicle is maintained properly, is always full on fluids, and never have an open flame inside the vehicle. If the vehicle does catch on fire, Fire Captain Dave Compton said pull over, get out of the car and call 911.
“Don’t open the hood, it induces oxygen to any smoldering fire that would take off more rapidly than if you just left it closed and walked away,” added firefighter Carey. “Call 911 and let the professionals and appropriate people handle it. Even if it’s a blown radiator hose and we get there and it’s not a fire, it’s still better to have us on the way.”
“She started losing power so she pulled off on the side of the road and it started on fire; it was a working car fire,” said Troy Township Fire Capt. Rick Spellman.
