Car Caught Fire on Highway: What to Do Right Now: What Drivers Should Know

Quick takeaway: Car fire on the highway is a life-threatening emergency. Here's exactly what to do in the first 60 seconds and after you're safe.

Originally published on Tow With The Flow.

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Quick Answer: Pull over immediately and get everyone out of the car. Do not try to grab belongings. Move at least 100 feet away from the vehicle, stay off the road, and call 911. Do not open the hood if you see flames. A car fire can reach the fuel tank in minutes. Your life is worth more than the car.

What To Do

  1. Signal and pull over the moment you see smoke, smell burning, or see flames. Do not wait to find a perfect spot. The right shoulder is fine. A highway median is fine. Get the car stopped and off the travel lanes as fast as it is safe to do so.
  1. Shut off the engine as soon as you stop. Turn the key or press the ignition button. This cuts fuel flow to the engine.
  1. Get everyone out immediately. Unlock all doors. Do not reach for your phone, bag, or anything else. Open the door and move. If you have kids in car seats, get them out first and carry them. Every second matters.
  1. Leave the doors closed after everyone is out. Closing the doors slows oxygen supply to the fire inside the cabin. Do not slam them, just push them shut.
  1. Move away from the vehicle, perpendicular to traffic. Go over the guardrail if there is one. Get at least 100 feet away, ideally 300 feet. Stay low if there is heavy smoke. A burning car can have a fuel tank explosion, and burning debris can scatter.
  1. Call 911. Give them your exact location. On highways, look for mile marker signs on the right shoulder. These are small green signs with numbers. Tell the dispatcher your direction of travel, the highway number, and the mile marker.
  1. Do not go back to the car. Not for your phone. Not for your wallet. Not for your pet carrier. Fires spread fast, and fuel tanks can rupture. The fire department will handle it.
  1. Do not open the hood if the fire is under it. Opening the hood feeds oxygen to the fire and can cause a flash-up directly in your face.
  1. If you have a small fire extinguisher rated for Class B fires and the fire is tiny and contained, you can attempt to use it on a tire or a small underhood fire before it spreads. Stand back, aim at the base of the flame, and sweep. If it does not go out in seconds, stop and get clear. This window is very short.
  1. After the fire is out and the scene is safe, call a tow truck. A burned vehicle will need to be towed to a salvage yard or storage facility. The car is not drivable and likely totaled. Check whether your insurance covers towing from the scene, since some policies cover towing costs after a major incident.

!hazard lights car road Photo: Pexels

What It Might Cost

Towing a burned vehicle is not cheap. Expect $150 to $350 for a basic highway tow to the nearest yard, depending on your state and how far the tow runs. If the car is a total loss, your insurer will usually arrange or reimburse the tow. Get a police report at the scene. Some insurers require it before they process a fire claim. For general highway towing rate expectations, see towing cost from highway to nearest exit.

If you have roadside assistance through your insurance, call them after 911. Most plans cover fire-related tows, but coverage limits vary. Know your plan before you need it.

!tow truck highway Photo: Pexels

Stay Safe

  • Never assume a car fire is out. Fires can reignite inside door panels, under the dash, or in the trunk.
  • Watch for traffic when you exit the vehicle. Highway breakdown zones are dangerous. Stay as far from the lanes as possible.
  • If smoke is filling the cabin before you can stop, open the windows slightly to slow smoke buildup and keep moving toward the shoulder.
  • Do not let other passengers stand near the car to watch or take video.
  • If your car broke down before the fire started and you noticed something like smoke coming from under the hood, that was the warning sign. A smoking engine can turn into a fire quickly.
  • Keep bystanders back. When you call 911, tell them if there are nearby vehicles or structures at risk.
  • After the incident, contact your insurance company before moving the vehicle from wherever it was towed. Moving it without documentation can complicate your claim.

For general guidance on highway breakdowns that do not involve fire, car broke down on freeway: what to do covers the full process of getting safely off the road and getting help.

Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.

Need the full guide? Read the original article on Tow With The Flow.

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