What do I do if my car catches fire?

DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Dinwiddie Fire & EMS is sharing some tips on how to respond if your vehicle catches fire.

Nationally, about 16% of all fire incidents between 2018 and 2022 were vehicle fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).

Vehicles can catch fire for several reasons, including mechanical or electrical failures, operational deficiencies and misuse, per the NFPA. Only a small percentage of these fires are deemed to be intentionally caused.

Regardless of their cause, vehicle fires are some of the most deadly fire incidents nationwide. Only structure fires in one- and two-family homes have higher death rates, the NFPA said.

Dinwiddie County firefighters recently fought a vehicle fire and were able to quickly extinguish it. Following this incident, fire officials took the opportunity to discuss how you can react quickly if something similar happens to you.

Vehicle fire in Dinwiddie County. (Photo: Dinwiddie Fire & EMS)

Vehicle fire in Dinwiddie County. (Photo: Dinwiddie Fire & EMS)

The tips Dinwiddie Fire & EMS shared were provided by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), which is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

If your vehicle catches fire while you're driving, here's what you should do:

1. Pull over. As soon as you are safely able to do so, pull over and turn off the engine.
2. Get out. Get everyone who is inside the vehicle out of it.
3. Do not try to fight the fire. Do not try to put the flames out. Do not open the hood or trunk if you think the fire is under there, as it could cause the fire to grow.
4. Get away and stay away. Move everyone at least 100 feet away from the vehicle, remaining aware of any nearby traffic. Do not return to the vehicle for any reason.
5. Call for help. As soon as you are out of the vehicle and at a safe distance, call 911.

The USFA also provided a few recommendations for how to prevent vehicle fires, including:

• Get your car regularly serviced. Take your vehicle to a trained mechanic to be serviced on a regular basis.
• Safely handle your gas and propane. If you're carrying gas or propane tanks, ensure they are tightly sealed and placed on a flat surface so they can stay upright. Keep them away from passengers. You should also keep your windows open to prevent fumes from building up.
• Drive safely. Above all else, drive safely to ideally avoid crashing. Nearly half of all passenger car vehicle fire deaths involve a crash, per the NFPA.

For more information, visit the USFA's webpage on vehicle fires. You can also view the NFPA's full report on vehicle fires here.