Benton County, Washington – Car Catches on Fire at Interstate 82

Benton County, Washington (October 15, 2019) – A car was reported to have caught on fire at milepost 89 on eastbound Interstate 82 on Tuesday morning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. However, the car itself was considered a total loss following the incident. Benton County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, but could not give the cause of the incident at the time of writing. No road closures have been announced in relation to 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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