Attention! A vehicle is on fire

As of today, the leading cause of fires is the violation of the rules for the installation and operation of stoves and other heat-generating devices, careless handling of fire, and violations of the rules for the installation and operation of electrical networks (electrical equipment).

The situation with fires involving vehicles and mobile equipment remains tense; just in the past week, two fires of this nature were registered in the Orsha district.

In most cases, the source of vehicle fires is the emergency mode of operation of electrical equipment.   However, this does not mean that other causes can be disregarded. Thus, great care should be taken when installing gas cylinder equipment, as well as heating systems. When operating such equipment, all safety requirements specified by the manufacturer must be followed. Another common cause of fires is the poor installation of additional electrical and heating equipment (pre-heating systems for engines, such as Webasto, Gidronik, remote starts, alarms, cabin heaters, seat heaters, steering wheel heaters, etc.) of vehicles. The above systems should be installed in specialized service centers with qualified specialists.

To avoid a fire in your vehicle:

- timely undergo maintenance;

- never refuel with the engine running, do not transport gasoline in plastic containers (plastic accumulates static electricity, which can ignite gasoline) and do not use open flames in close proximity to flammable and combustible liquids;

- if your vehicle frequently burns out bulbs or fuses, do not wait, but immediately take the car to a service for an electrician's inspection; this may be the result of a short circuit, which could lead to a fire;

- monitor the fuel hoses of your vehicle - any wire under the hood should be properly insulated.

- monitor the condition of the gas equipment if it is installed in your vehicle - if you smell gas, immediately contact a specialist;

- do not charge batteries directly on vehicles;
- do not heat engines with open flames (bonfires, torches, blowtorches), and do not use open flames for lighting.
         If a vehicle fire does occur:

- stop the vehicle and turn off the engine and evacuate passengers from the vehicle, taking documents and belongings;

- set the vehicle's parking brake;

- report the incident by calling 101 or 112;

- while waiting for rescuers, try to extinguish the fire yourself. If you have a fire extinguisher, slightly open the hood and insert the nozzle of the extinguisher into the space created and try to extinguish the flames as much as possible. Then open the hood and disconnect the vehicle's power supply by removing the battery terminals. Remember that the metal may have already heated up.

- after the vehicle is de-energized, you can use improvised means to extinguish the fire - sand, water, snow, or throw a heavy cloth over it.

- if the fire engulfs the rear of the vehicle where the fuel tank is located, quickly move as far away from the vehicle as possible.

 Follow safety rules. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Head of

Orsha District Emergency Department                                         A.O. Kuryatnikov