Tacoma Caught Fire and Burned Up

I’m betting on a fuel line pinholing from a crack or rust. Did he mention any loss of power or weird running symptoms?

 

Freak accident? Maybe something struck a line and shot into onto a heat source. Once that gets going, it's anyone's ballgame.

 

Hold up.

How much earlier did he see gas leaking? Before he got in and drove?

Igniting? Like it has ignited before?


Either way I would recommend a meeting with all staff and having a "teachable moment" about the importance of pre-trip inspections and taking equipment out of service.

 

No loss of power or trouble shifting/steering until he parked it (when it was ablaze).

 

When the insurance companies start writing checks, you'll know what happened. I'm glad your guy is alright. Sounds like you did the right thing on maintenance so wait for the investigation. Lawyers are crazy. LOL
Zim

 

And no no no. When he was watching the car burning and waiting for the fire truck he noticed a flaming river of gas (or any of the other fluids) running from the car.

That is part of why I’m rattled. We never saw any fluid leak (I checked where it was parked again) and stay up on the maintenance of the car because we both loved driving the Taco.

 

Ah. I misunderstood.

That's different. If it's hot enough to combust it's going to melt all the rubber hosing. So no surprises there.

Its rare but it happens. From any number of causes. Could be any of the lines that sprang a leak, could be flammable debris that got picked up on the road and lodged in the wrong spot. Had nothing to do with maintenance.

Good luck with insurance and replacement.

For peace of mind maybe consider installing first aid kits and extinguishers in your fleet and taking annual refreshers on both. Some fire stations do safety training for free, so look into that.

 

Woooooow, that sucks.

Glad to read the kid is ok and, just out a phone. To say it could've been worse, is the epitome, of understatements.

Anywho, hope you find out the how and why it happened.

Good luck.