Battery Caused Engine Fire 2012

At approximately 0600 hours, a Type 6 brush engine was driving to Cemetery Road for a daily AAR. The engine operator pulled to the side to allow several crew transport vehicles to pass. As he returned to the road, several crewmembers were waving and yelling: “Stop! You’re on fire!” The engine operator turned to see flames coming from the back of the engine. He pulled over and started to throw things off the engine, including: cots, ice chest, and gas can. But the fire wouldn’t stop until a firefighter from the crew transport vehicle responded with a 10-pound chemical fire extinguisher—and put out the fire. It was determined that while driving down the dirt road, the cover had bounced off the battery. The cot then made repeated contact with the battery terminal and the gasoline can. This created two small openings in the gas can allowing fumes and liquid gas to escape from the tank and ignite from the arching.