NHTSA Complaint #10377747 — 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA

MY NISSAN WAS PARKED ON THE STREET ABOUT 11:00 PM. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, JUST BEFORE 7:00 AM, I HAD KNOCKING AT MY DOOR AND IT WAS THE FIREMAN WANTING THE KEYS TO MY CAR SO THEY COULD ACCESS THE LATCH TO OPEN THE HOOD. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE SIDES OF THE HOOD AND THE FIREMEN WERE ALREADY SPRAYING MY HOOD AS THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. SINCE THE LATCH DID NOT WORK, AN ELECTRIC SAW WAS USED TO OPEN IT. THE ENGINE WAS DOUSED WITH THE FIRE HOSE TILL THE SMOKE STOPPED. YOU COULD SEE THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS BLACK. THE FIRE WAS SO STRONG THAT THE FRONT WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE FRONT TIRE. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED AS AN ACCIDENT WITH CAUSE UNKNOWN AND MUST HAVE BEEN BURNING ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO 90 MINUTES. ODD THAT A FIRE WOULD START SINCE THE CAR WAS SITTING OVERNIGHT FOR 6 TO 7 HOURS, COLD. I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO BE IN THE CAR. IT WAS LUCKY THAT IT WAS A RAINY DAY AND CAUGHT EARLY BY A NEIGHBOR BEFORE IT AFFECTED ANY OTHER CARS, PEOPLE, AND RESIDENTIAL AREA BY BLOWING UP. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE NISSAN'S EXPLANATION TO THIS INCIDENT.