My 90 set itself on fire whilst I was asleep!!!!

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opedley

opedley

New Member
Posts
63
Location
Bishops Stortford, Essex
Couldn't believe it!! Got home at about 12.30am the other night, turned it off as usual and went to bed. At about 2-30am my sister woke me up because she could hear my car trying to start so she thought someone was trying to pike it! So i looked out my window and the there was big old flames coming from the engine bay and front windscreen and the starter motor was stuck on so it was trying to start itself.

In the time it took me to run out and get the hose, the handbrake cable must have burnt through because it then rolled down my drive and hit into my house!! I managed to put the fire out before it set fire to the house so at least thats one positive thing!

The firemen said it must have been an electrical fault because the whole wiring loom is burnt out. and the extent of the damage is a melted interior, melted pipe in engine bay, and then general cosmetic damage to front wings, bonnet, broken windscreen, melted roof lining, etc etc etc. Im guessing its a write off but am waiting for the insurance to take it away.


Bad times!! i find it odd how it started hours after i had left it, and for no apparent reason ????
:doh:
 
**** earths were the reason, in this case. I'd say your handbrake cable became your earth and that overheated your wiring loom and it probably smouldered for a while before catching fire.
 
I know I shouldnt laff :( but it sounds like a video for You've been framed!... The best bit was when it rolled down the drive, I couldnt hold the laffs in after that! :eek::eek::eek:
 
thanks a lot mintcherrie! my pride and joy has just gone up in flames, and all you can do is laugh! haha :( it is quite funny when you think about it. Its as if its trying to kill me, because it wasn't that long ago the wheel came off whilst i was doing 65mph... although that might have been my fault :rolleyes:
 
Heart breaking, what a nice motor... get the wheels off quick and keep them for your next! If it is a write off I would start looking now for a mint one similar to yours from a dealer. They are likely to offer less than you think but even if it is more still haggle and being able to quote prices of replacement vehicles does help.
Good luck
 
The bumper is totally bent from where it hit the house. I have taken the spot lights, cubby box, rear speakers and stereo out. But im pretty sure the stereo has been cooked. The tyres in my picture arn't the ones which are on it at the moment so thats ok. Are the insurance people going to care if i start taking stuff like the a bar and wheels off it?

Also should they give me the money for it, or will they buy a similar one for me. I'm not convinced that i want another defender at this point in my life, this ones been fun, but has had no end of problems which have cost me thousands!! hmmmm an old skl range rover would be nice :rolleyes:
 
my 110 set itself on fire tonight whilst driving through the woods, luckkily had an extinguisher to hand, although no where near as funny as yours.LEE
 
opedley said:
The bumper is totally bent from where it hit the house. I have taken the spot lights, cubby box, rear speakers and stereo out. But im pretty sure the stereo has been cooked. The tyres in my picture arn't the ones which are on it at the moment so thats ok. Are the insurance people going to care if i start taking stuff like the a bar and wheels off it?

Also should they give me the money for it, or will they buy a similar one for me. I'm not convinced that i want another defender at this point in my life, this ones been fun, but has had no end of problems which have cost me thousands!! hmmmm an old skl range rover would be nice :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

dont touch it,the insurance will send an assesor to see it,if he thinks you have been messing with it he will not like it,he will want to see it as per the crash/fire whatever.
 
gemsdad said:
dont touch it,the insurance will send an assesor to see it,if he thinks you have been messing with it he will not like it,he will want to see it as per the crash/fire whatever.
Click to expand...

also if you have anything on it you shouldnt have,ie bigger wheels or something you have not told the insurance about get rid of that and put it back as to how it should be.
 
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