The Dexter Area Fire Chief said the quick actions by a homeowner and the rapid response from firefighters prevented a vehicle fire from spreading into a residential garage on May 7 at a home in the 4000 block of Mast Road.
The Dexter Area Fire Department (DAFD) got the call on that Thursday afternoon for a report of a vehicle fire inside a garage. DAFD Fire Chief Doug Armstrong said firefighters were able to respond to the scene in less than two minutes.
Upon arrival, Armstrong said DAFD firefighters found a vintage vehicle in the middle of the driveway with the engine compartment fully involved in fire. Crews quickly extinguished the fire before it spread into the passenger compartment.
The vintage vehicle was a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL. The DAFD said it sustained extensive damage to the engine compartment, vinyl roof, quarter panels and one tire rim.
There were no injuries.
The homeowner told the DAFD the vehicle was being started for the first time this spring and had run briefly before stalling. When the vehicle was restarted, the owner said the flames erupted from the engine compartment. The DAFD said the homeowner attempted to extinguish the fire, then pushed the vehicle out of the garage and returned inside to ensure the fire had not spread to the structure.
Firefighters reported finding a scorch mark on the garage floor, but there was no structural damage. The garage had filled with smoke, and crews used ventilation fans to remove the smoke from the building.
Armstrong said the quick actions of the homeowner helped protect the garage and another vintage vehicle from severe fire damage.
“Fuel system problems in vintage vehicles are not uncommon,” Armstrong said. “Owners are advised to always have a fire extinguisher readily available when starting or working on older vehicles.”
Photo: A look at the aftermath of the fire. Photo: DAFD
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
