We appreciate that the problem didn’t become urgent until our youngest son had arrived at work and exited the car. Then, we’re thankful that a few minutes later, a co-worker noticed the smoking under the hood of the vehicle. And, we are glad our oldest son called the fire department when he did.
He had called us first, so we were on our way with a tow rope, not knowing if it had just overheated or some such thing. However, in the interim, he made the decision that immediate help was prudent. We arrived to see the front end of the car covered in flames and the fire crew hosing it down.
When the vehicle was more approachable, but only by those with heavily gloved hands and breathing masks, a large circular saw was put to work on cutting the hood open. It was a messy procedure, leaving the hood looking like modern art. The gush of water was now applied more directly and thoroughly to the well melted engine.
The hood sections were pushed back down, we completed the necessary paperwork, and the fireman offered to call a tow truck for us. During the half hour wait for it, we did some clean-up work. The folks at Greenhurst Nursery loaned us a couple of brooms, the largest dust pan I have ever seen, and pulled the dumpster over from across the parking lot.
It is not easy to sweep charred car parts off of asphalt. The edge of the dust pan was useful for prying some the melted goo from the pavement. Never one to unnecessarily throw anything away, Greg grinned when he found a large bolt in good shape amidst the debris.
Out of curiosity, I asked the fireman how often they put out car fires. I was amazed by his answer of “about one a week.” That’s quite a few! But as he says, there are a lot of cars and they do have explosions going on inside of them whenever they are running.
It is a new reminder of what it means that “our God is a consuming fire.” Dangerous and cleansing. That was just one little, localized flame. He, on the other hand, can’t be contained. That’s power.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
What a mess! So glad it wasn’t during stop and go traffic on the freeway when this happened and that no one got hurt.
Very true. We are also glad that it was previously decided that we not take that car with us on vacation to cascade lake last week.
Ben called the Fire Department as soon as we saw flames under the car.
First I hear my mom explaining to my dad that they need to go over and examine the smoking car that Jesse had taken to work. A while later, Beth, after a phone conversation, walks into the room with the latest news of flames. It was an exciting chain of events even without being at the parking lot.
What’s Greg going to do with the bolt??
wow, a little more excitment than you bargained for! Glad everyone is okay, now for car shopping I assume!
Never know when you’ll need a good, huge bolt. It’s in his stash for now!
Yes, the dreaded (by Greg) car shopping.
How do you manage to have so many “exciting” events in your life to blog about??
We are very glad to know no one was hurt in this episode of life.
BTW:
I saw an OLD sink for sale for $75 at the antique/junk store downtown Nampa. As well as an old bathtub….
It’s so thankful that no one hurt.
We miss You very much.
We are so frastrate about training our son. so we will let him go back school.
O.o You have the craziest stories!