What should be done in the event of a fire in a combustion vehicle is different from what should be done in an electric vehicle because the characteristics of one and the other are different. The commander of the Algheiran-Mem Martins volunteer firefighters, Joaquim Leonardo, explained this CM what can be done to reduce damage in the event of a fire.
In the case of a car with an internal combustion engine, you must immediately turn off the car if it is turned on and get out of the car. According to the commander, “most fires occur in the engine compartment,” so if you have a fire extinguisher, “you should open the hood and direct the stream directly” at the source of the fire. This process should preferably be carried out by two people. “While one opens the hood, the other immediately uses a fire extinguisher,” this is in order to prevent the fire from growing when oxygen is available.
Automóvel Clube de Portugal, in turn, reminds that in order to safely use a fire extinguisher, you must position yourself “with your back to the wind” and protect yourself.”hands from heat and flame” to avoid burns.
If you do not have a fire extinguisher, you should park the vehicle in a safe area with a clean floor and away from materials that could ignite. After this, you should move away from the vehicle and immediately call 112 and report the situation.
What about electric vehicles?
Joaquim Leonardo explains that in the case of electric vehicles, if the fire occurs in the engine, “the procedure is the same as for cars with an internal combustion engine.” However, if the fire occurs in the battery, the process is different. “Once the vehicle is safely immobilized, you should move as far away from the vehicle as possible and call 112, as there is a high chance that the vehicle will explode. In this case, the use of a fire extinguisher is not recommended.”
The batteries in these cars are made of lithium and produce hydrogen when burned, so they explode when ignited.
The commander of the Algheiran volunteer fire department, Mem Martins, emphasizes that “when calling 112, it is important to emphasize the type of vehicle. Proper location is also important so that firefighters can quickly reach the scene.”
Author: Carolina Baptista This Daniela Vilar Santos
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.