My Van Burned

[Dr. Shane]

Well as I came out of the Home Depot I saw police cars and fire engines. As I approached my car a policeman asked if I was Shane Linder and informed me that my van had cought fire. It was burned black.

Seems a man parked in front of me and left his cigar on his fender so he could finish it after buying whatever he was buy. A spark blew off the cigar and somehow got onto my greasy engine and it started fire. Even odder is that the van was in gear (it is a standard) and it took off and hit the pick-up with the cigar.

So now I guess I need to fix my Jeep or buy another car.

[Neil D]

Headliners:

Van gets fired up from cigar-smoking pickup

Van turns black with rage over smoking car

Shane stunned when pet van turns black

Odd intances-man has scratch on pickup after his cigar causes van to catch on fire, self start and move to scratch same pickup.

Christian Van indignant over secular smoking pick up.

Militant Van gets revenge on cigar smoking pick up

Conservative Van Burns up over Smoking Pick-up

Van: stop smoking! Pickup: oh, go torch yourself!

[Pockey]

Ack! Shane, glad you're okay. That's crazy!

[Dr. Shane]

The funny thing is that the guy's pick-up was only scratched but he was irate and my van was burnt to a crisp and I was completely calm. My dashboard melted and was on the floor <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As I approached the scene the man was yelling at a police officer saying, "You are telling me that van started up, took off and crashed into my pick-up with no one in it?" The officer answered "it appears so" and he yelled, "I can't believe that."

To be honest, I was having a hard time believing it myself.

[Nicodema]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Shane. Glad you are not hurt though.

Amazing you stayed so calm. I'd have been in hysterics!

[Amelia]

What a bizzare way to lose your vehicle. I will pray that our Lord has something better in store for you. (no that was not a pun). Thank our Father that neither you or the kids were inside at the time.

[Dr. Shane]

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I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Shane.

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That is what one of the firemen said to me after I had gotten all my personal effects out. I wondered how often he has to say that. I bet most of the time the one's he is saying it to lost more than me. A 1988 Plymouth Voyager with 180,000 miles isn't that big of a lost. Worst part is that tommorrow I will probbally have to pay a wrecker to take it to a junk yard. I am hoping to find a junk yard that will just go and pick it up.

[Neil D]

Shane,

I don't know the attitude of the man whose pick up was scratched, but from what you have put out, ie he was yelling, ect, you might wnat to consult with a lawyer. He might sue you for an unattended vehicle or something like that.... you never know...

[Taylor]

You poor soul Shane! I am so sorry! However, I must say it is the most bizarre story I have ever heard. What a weird way to loose your van! I hope you find a replacement vehicle soon!

[Nicodema]

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I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Shane.

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That is what one of the firemen said to me after I had gotten all my personal effects out. I wondered how often he has to say that. I bet most of the time the one's he is saying it to lost more than me. A 1988 Plymouth Voyager with 180,000 miles isn't that big of a lost. Worst part is that tommorrow I will probbally have to pay a wrecker to take it to a junk yard. I am hoping to find a junk yard that will just go and pick it up.

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Well when you put it that way, I can see why you weren't too ruffled over it. I'm glad it wasn't something more valuable; still you're going to need a vehicle right? Will your insurance cover any of it?

[Dr. Shane]

I have insurance, Borther Neil and there was only a few little scratches on his bumper - not even a dent. When the fireman explained to him that there was no heat or fire damage to his vehicle he yelled, "What? you don't think there is a smoke smell inside?"

Incredible isn't it? My car is toast because he left a lit cigar on his fender and he is concerned about a smoke smell in his pick-up.

My insurance is only liability so it won't pay me anything. I don't think full-coverage is available for vehicles that old. Any rate, if he is determined to be at fault maybe I can get a few hundred for my van. Now is that wishful thinking or what? I'll talk to my insurance agent tomorrow.

[Nicodema]

I think whether your van rolled first or the cigar spark started the fire first, will determine who is liable. If the former, then you; if the latter, then he. But that's just my guess - I'm not a claims adjuster!

[Nan]

So glad you are OK Shane and I hope there are no costly repercussions.

[Gregory Matthews]

So sorry Shane. Glad no one was hurt.

A number of years ago I was delivering a car to the shop for an engine rebuild. The engine caught fire on the trip, and I drove into the shop with fire coming out from the engine!

[Stan]

That will be a story to tell your Grandchildren..

Bizarre

[fifiqueen]

Shane,

I am really sorry for your loss, if my car had gone up in smoke with only basic insurance I don't know what I would do. To be honest who knows why it happened now, it may have saved you from a fatal incident in the future. I'm glad you all are safe.

Now that I have dealt with my care and concern.

This has got to be one of the funniest most bizzare things I have read in a long time. It has surely tickled my fancy this Monday evening!! And brought a bit of mirth into what was becoming a stressful evening.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Naomi]

Shane,

Incredible and bizzare are understatements for your experience. Just glad you are ok and pray that everything else will work out with no serious issues.

[Anthony!]

Shane:

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Even odder is that the van was in gear (it is a standard) and it took off and hit the pick-up with the cigar.

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Shane, I used to work in auto/truck/marine electric and I have seen this happen before with engine fires. Sorry for your loss of property...

Usually what happens is that the heat from the fire melts wire insulation to the engine starter motor. Once this happens, the wires bow under continued heat and then contact each other, creating a short circuit, effectively 'hot wiring' the starter, but not necessarily the ignition which causes the engine to run.

This short circuit causes the starter to run, thus turning the engine over. If it is a standard in gear, the vehicle will move/lurch until overcome by an obstacle, or the wires burn through and the circuit is cut off.

Since the positive battery cable to the starter and the negative ground battery cable to the engine are the thickest wires, they will carry current to the starter until they burn through, which is usually last. I am making an educated guess this is what happened to you.

Blessings...