Fire! A close call
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 18
From: Trenton Ontario
I agree with the static discharge. Fibreglass creates more static especially when the cover is a material that when moved by a slight breeze will build up static energy. The metal gas lid is the conductor to the metal gas cap, the venting metal gas cap emitting the explosive fumes. Poof! I think the only thing that saved the day was the cover is probably made with fire retardant material (check with maker) and the lack of oxygen and or continuous fuel vapours.
JMHO
Mike
JMHO
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Gasoline is heavier than air. I would suspect that the cap venting allowed the vapors to reach the mufflers and exhaust to ignite. From there it probable rose and the exit point was the filler door.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I agree with the static discharge. Fibreglass creates more static especially when the cover is a material that when moved by a slight breeze will build up static energy. The metal gas lid is the conductor to the metal gas cap, the venting metal gas cap emitting the explosive fumes. Poof! I think the only thing that saved the day was the cover is probably made with fire retardant material (check with maker) and the lack of oxygen and or continuous fuel vapours.
JMHO
Mike
JMHO
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Heat alone wont do it. Needs a spark! Good idea to talk to the FD, then report back to us!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
I shared the photos with a 32 year retired Fire Invesigator and here are his thouthts:
"I agree that cap would be venting flammable vapors into the fuel tank fill area on a hot day.
Putting the cover on immediately while the car was hot would also do two things: One, confine the vapors and two, the act of dragging the cover over the car would definitely create enough static electricity to provide an ignition source.
Thankfully, it also appears the fire ran out of air (because the fire started in and was confined to the fill area under the cover) before it burned through the cover. Had it burned through the cover; depending on the material the cover is made of; the cover may have continued to burn and it all could have been much worse.
All this said this makes a case for waiting for a car to cool before covering it, especially on a hot day; low humidity could also be a contributing factor."
Sounds like we were nearly on the money. He also mentioned the ignition was most likely static putting the cover on and was burning before you walked away. Its very lucky the fire ran out of OX.
"I agree that cap would be venting flammable vapors into the fuel tank fill area on a hot day.
Putting the cover on immediately while the car was hot would also do two things: One, confine the vapors and two, the act of dragging the cover over the car would definitely create enough static electricity to provide an ignition source.
Thankfully, it also appears the fire ran out of air (because the fire started in and was confined to the fill area under the cover) before it burned through the cover. Had it burned through the cover; depending on the material the cover is made of; the cover may have continued to burn and it all could have been much worse.
All this said this makes a case for waiting for a car to cool before covering it, especially on a hot day; low humidity could also be a contributing factor."
Sounds like we were nearly on the money. He also mentioned the ignition was most likely static putting the cover on and was burning before you walked away. Its very lucky the fire ran out of OX.
Last edited by Aggitated Monkey; Sep 2, 2015 at 08:56 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
All I know is that I have what appears to be that exact locking gas cap and parked in my garage, it is a vented cap because of my FI setup and venting problems from back when....gas tanks need venting from up top, as when tank is filled the slosh in corners will close the sharks stop valve on the upper left of the tank....keeping raw fuel from the canister....I have still have it in my car, but my fuel system is much modified and so that cap on MY car is vented at the high point, which is where it needs to be....
why the fire?? I have no concept....just to know MY tanks are not under any pressure at ANY time....
don't smell anything in my garage at any time.....
why the fire?? I have no concept....just to know MY tanks are not under any pressure at ANY time....
don't smell anything in my garage at any time.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I shared the photos with a 32 year retired Fire Invesigator and here are his thouthts:
"I agree that cap would be venting flammable vapors into the fuel tank fill area on a hot day.
Putting the cover on immediately while the car was hot would also do two things: One, confine the vapors and two, the act of dragging the cover over the car would definitely create enough static electricity to provide an ignition source.
Thankfully, it also appears the fire ran out of air (because the fire started in and was confined to the fill area under the cover) before it burned through the cover. Had it burned through the cover; depending on the material the cover is made of; the cover may have continued to burn and it all could have been much worse.
All this said this makes a case for waiting for a car to cool before covering it, especially on a hot day; low humidity could also be a contributing factor."
Sounds like we were nearly on the money. He also mentioned the ignition was most likely static putting the cover on and was burning before you walked away. Its very lucky the fire ran out of OX.
"I agree that cap would be venting flammable vapors into the fuel tank fill area on a hot day.
Putting the cover on immediately while the car was hot would also do two things: One, confine the vapors and two, the act of dragging the cover over the car would definitely create enough static electricity to provide an ignition source.
Thankfully, it also appears the fire ran out of air (because the fire started in and was confined to the fill area under the cover) before it burned through the cover. Had it burned through the cover; depending on the material the cover is made of; the cover may have continued to burn and it all could have been much worse.
All this said this makes a case for waiting for a car to cool before covering it, especially on a hot day; low humidity could also be a contributing factor."
Sounds like we were nearly on the money. He also mentioned the ignition was most likely static putting the cover on and was burning before you walked away. Its very lucky the fire ran out of OX.