June 19th at about 4am I was woken up by a loud “WHOOOMP” sound. I looked up and saw that there was a bright orange, flickering light outside. I ran to the window in the hallway and when I looked out, I thought my truck was on fire. I yelled to my wife and she came and looked and said “It’s not your truck, there’s a CAR in the driveway”. I told her to call 911 and I went downstairs to get the fire extinguisher. The whole time I was thinking over and over “why is there a CAR in the driveway”. I used up the whole extinguisher and didn’t make a dent in the fire, the car was fully engulfed. By this time the police were showing up and told me to get away.

While we waited for the fire trucks, they told us that it was probably a stolen car that may have been used in a crime and that since it was getting towards daylight, they torch the car to get rid of any evidence. The police say they sometimes pull in a driveway as to not look suspicious sitting in the middle of the road dumping gas on a car. I’m sure my truck on one side and a big tree on the other made pretty good cover. As the car was burning, it must have finally burned through the brakes or the clutch and it rolled backwards partially in the street and partially in my neighbor's yard. The fire trucks finally came and put the fire out.

The whole left side of my truck is pretty badly burnt and the siding on the front of the garage is melted, but nothing that can’t be fixed. As the fire was burning initially, there was a lot of popping as different things burnt. Later, we actually found broken glass in our backyard and also a spark plug wire and washer fluid cap on the roof of the garage.

In my gallery, there is a picture of the truck from the week before (I was pretty proud of my new H2 wheels) and a picture from the body shop where it still is. Just had to vent a little.

 

Man thats lousy. At least your house didn't burn down.(I know that made you feel better)

 

That's too bad. Glad it wasn't worse.

On another note, we had a rash of arsons around the area a couple years ago. SOmebody setting fire to vehicles in commuter lots and vehicles for sale along the road, even a boat launch. Most had windows left open a crack and a cigarette or other flammable was shoved in the window, so be careful leaving them unattended.

 

I know it doesnt help to hear the "it could have been worse" line, but well.........it could have been worse...

Glad that it can all be repaired.

 

Just imagine if it burned there a little longer and it made its way through that plastic gas tank it was sitting right next to....

 

Believe me, I have thought about that a lot.

 

Just think, your truck will have a nice fresh paint job now.

 

That is real crappy to hear.

But when one thinks of it, it sure does bring a whole new meaning to "Smoking Cummins".

 

That sucks. I noticed the pic when I approved it and I was wondering what the story was. Looks like the damage was mostly cosmetic, but make sure that the wiring in the door gets checked out.

 

Sorry about the truck man...I have to say though that those H2 rims look sweet on your truck.

 

Aren't the little things that happen totally at random fun?

On the bright side, however, if applied a little more evenly and without the cracking, the burnt toast look might be kind of cool... Being the victim of a crime, this may be the exact life-changing event that you need to use as an excuse to don a Batman-esque alternate identity and kick ricer punks' butts! You could be The Toast Man, and spend your nights chasing down Vin Diesel wannabes as they try to steal stereos from big rigs! And the toast camoflauge might let you hide really well in industrial areas.

Yes, that'd be cool... Can I be your sidekick? Can I Can I Can I?

 

Begle1 you are too funny. Sad story but I do agree the burnt toast look is kind of unique.

 

Make sure the insurance replaces those tires also. They have been stressed by the heat.

 

That most definately sucks, you might also want to make sure the resins in your fiberglass cap didn't get compromised with all that heat.

On another note we had that happen to one of the forest fire trucks one time, guy was sitting in the truck doing paper work and the fire came up and burnt the lettering right off the side of the truck before he knew it.

 

Tires and cap are both being replaced with new.