NHTSA Complaint #10459123 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

AT APPROXIMATELY 16:45 AFTER DRIVING 6 MILES THAT DAY, THE WINDSTAR VAN WAS STOPPED AND THE IGNITION KEY TURNED OFF. THE DELIVERY DRIVER WENT INSIDE HIS DESTINATION FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. WHILE LOADING HIS CARGO, HE SMELLED SMOKE. LOOKING UP, HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PLASTIC SHIELDING. USING AN ONBOARD 5 LB FIRE EXTINGUISHER, HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. HE DIALLED 9-1-1 ON HIS PHONE. EMPLOYEES AT HIS DESTINATION ALSO NOTICED THE FIRE, AND CONTACTED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE REAR PORTION OF THE ENGINE, THE FIRE WALL, BRAKE CYLINDER AND GLASS WINDSHIELD. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS IN THE 70 DEGREES RANGE, WINDOWS WERE DOWN IN THE VAN, AND THE A/C SYSTEM WAS NOT IN USE. *TT