By Callum Ludwig
A frightening ordeal took place on the road in Woori Yallock on Wednesday as CFA crews responded to a car fire.
A young man driving noticed smoke coming from the tray of his ute, with the car behind beeping to let him know as well, and pulled over into a service road safely onto the gravel. He managed to exit the vehicle shortly before the car became engulfed in flames and did not sustain any injuries. He did make a request to a nearby home for a hose but the blaze was too strong.
A CFA spokesperson said crews responded to reports of a car fire on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road in Woori Yallock at around on 7.23am on 5 October.
“Three CFA units from Hillcrest and Yellingbo brigades attended the scene,” they said.
“The scene was deemed under control at around 7.39am and a stop was issued at 7.54am.”
2 members of Hillcrest CFA were equipped with breathing apparatus to protect them from the smoke. It is the brigade’s third care fire in 2 weeks.
Initial thoughts are that the fire may have originated from the battery situated within the bonnet of the car, which managed to spread underneath the car to the tray. Car fires can be caused by a defective fuel system or electrical wiring, as well as collisions or lit cigarettes that catch seats or carpets on fire.
If you find yourself faced with a car fire, pull over, making sure you’re far from people and other vehicles. Next, shut the engine off as leaving it on could pose a more severe fire risk or an explosion.
All passengers should exit the vehicle and like any other fire, you should never waste time collecting things before getting away from the fire.
Once you’re at a safe distance away from your car and other traffic, call for help and warn others to stay away from the car as in some cases, the fire might not be evident to people nearby.
