Derry Firefighters Extinguish Car Fire

Derry firefighters helped extinguish a fully involved car fire on Boyd Road on Sunday night.

At 6:53 p.m. Sunday, Derry Fire Engines 1, and 4, and Car 1 responded to the area of 9 Boyd Road for a car on fire in the road.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was driving up the road when he smelled smoke and saw smoke in the rear trunk area. He pulled over and opened up the rear of the vehicle and saw a small interior fire coming from the area of the left rear interior fender. The fire rapidly progressed in a period of a few seconds and 911 was called by his wife, who was in another car behind him.

Upon arrival, crews found a 1999 Jeep Cherokee with a fully involved, passenger compartment fire. The car was parked on a hill and there were no nearby exposures or hazards. The crew from Engine 1, wearing full firefighting protective clothing and using self-contained breathing apparatus, immediately chocked the rear wheels of the car to prevent it from rolling. Crews then stretched a handline to extinguish the fire. Engine 4 arrived on scene and assisted with overhaul and investigation.

The owner said he experienced electrical problems, with interior lights turning on and off on their own and the blinkers either not working or engaging on their own. Derry Fire investigated, and the origin of the fire was in the electrical wiring harness located inside the left rear fender. The cause of the electrical failure has not yet been determined.

If people begin experiencing electrical issues with a vehicle, Derry Fire said they should immediately get them checked out as they can evolve into a short that causes a fire. Also, if this occurs, do not park the vehicle in a garage or adjacent to a structure or other vehicles to prevent other damage in the event of a fire.