What caused limo fire?

[widgeon13]

What the hell happened here that could cause this kind of rapid spreading fire? What is back there that can do this, fuel leak, electrical short?

Driver, passenger differ on fatal limo inferno - CBS News

[avi8torny]

Can of gas stored in the trunk that tipped over maybe??

[berettafan]

awful story. lots of electrical connections in a limo that might not be OE quality controlled.

can of gas wouldn't need to spill, just release fumes that aren't vented to outside the car. I would think we'd have heard about a gas smell in the car by now though.

[ossiblue]

This is a horrible story, certainly. I am also very interested to know not only what caused the fire but why it spread so rapidly. I'd discount the gas can idea as if fumes were present, there would be an explosion rather than a fire. I'm thinking along the lines of electrical connections--heavy duty pre-amps for example--that started the fire, began burning the interior components/aftermarket insulation, then rapid acceleration when the door was opened and outside air fed the fire. Regardless, what a tragedy.

[dad911]

Sad tragedy.

Car fires start and spread fast.

Seems to me I've seen more roadside fires since alcohol in gas. It wouldn't surprise me if it deteriorates rubber fuel lines faster.

[RANDY P]

Bet it had to do with the electric fuel pump- probably a ruptured line + wiring. Limos aren't exactly what one would call "quality" work..

rjp

[techweenie]

If I understand the story correctly, there were at least two nurses in the group. Nurses are trained to act quickly and decisively, so this fire must have been very very fast.

[tharbert]

Absolute tragedy!

And, I have to admit, Randy P, your avatar freaks me out a little. Just sayin'...

[Grog]

I wonder if it was the ethanol. It was a 1999 town car. From what I've read before, cars weren't designed to run ethanol until 2006. The hoses and fuel pump seals could have rotted away. Thanks for nothing EPA morons.

[Hugh R]

Bacardi 151?

[BE911SC]

Parking brake left set? Heated up and started a fuel line fire?

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by Grog

I wonder if it was the ethanol. It was a 1999 town car. From what I've read before, cars weren't designed to run ethanol until 2006. The hoses and fuel pump seals could have rotted away. Thanks for nothing EPA morons.

With LOTS of pushing from the corn lobby. Many morons involved. Many $$$ to be made.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by Grog

I wonder if it was the ethanol. It was a 1999 town car. From what I've read before, cars weren't designed to run ethanol until 2006. The hoses and fuel pump seals could have rotted away. Thanks for nothing EPA morons.

IIRC, ethanol was mandated by Congress as the latest in a long chain of subsidies and favors to ADM and other alcohol producers. Thank Bob Dole.

Archer Daniels Midland: A Case Study In Corporate Welfare

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Bacardi 151?

Bingo. what's typically in the back of a limo that is rented out for a bachelorette party? Drunk women and alcohol. Not the crap in the fuel tank, the crap in the bottles.

Pure speculation, but a likely scenario would involve spilled spirits and an ignition source.

[aigel]

My bet also is alcohol. Limo rides often come with a large bottle of vodka etc. included in the deal.

It has to be a liquid fuel of some sort. Gasoline is next on the list. I can't see an electrical fire getting out of control that quickly.

Talk about bad luck. It couldn't even be on the way back from the party ...

G

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by tharbert

Absolute tragedy!

And, I have to admit, Randy P, your avatar freaks me out a little. Just sayin'...

Wayne himself (the owner of Pelican) said "it's the most disturbing avatar on the board"

Badge of honor

[mattdavis11]

Speculation is that it took 50 seconds to flare up? Knowing that limos have separate ac systems for the rear, a wild guess could be that the rear condenser fan malfunctioned and generated enough resistance and heat to melt the wiring, which flamed up with the aid of an oily undercarriage, melting the fuel line.

Just a guess.

[BE911SC]

The photo of the car on fire still moving looks like a gas-fed fire. Huge conflagration.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by berettafan

awful story. lots of electrical connections in a limo that might not be OE quality controlled.

...

limos are converted from production line vehicles -- often by small shops

the industry is very poorly regulated

[Zeke]

I'm still wondering about the rear doors.