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Our Car Burned Up

passatfire1.jpg
We were planning to write some posts this week on Pair (we love it) and Columbia City (we really love it). But then our car burned up, so we thought we'd put that at the head of the line.

About two minutes before this photo was taken, we were headed to a service station. My wife was driving, I was in the passenger seat, and our daughter was in back.

Then, BANG! Someone grenaded the car. At least, that's what it sounded like. Flames darted up in front of the windshield. "Holy shit," said my brain to the rest of me, as I undid my seatbelt and hustled to evacuate our daughter.

My wife said "Get Simone! Get Simone!" as I said "I'm getting her! I'm getting her!" I unlocked the back door, messed with those particular car seat straps for the final time, grabbed my daughter, and beelined to the curb. My wife joined me carrying the diaper bag, umbrella stroller, and canvas bag she'd rescued from the trunk.

A very nice passer-by gave us his information -- "I saw the whole thing and can be a witness." He took pictures. In my peripheral vision, I could see scores more photos being snapped. (After posting this, I'm checking YouTube for the cell phone video I'm sure someone took.)

Some very friendly folks at Caruh salon offered to let us sit. They got us water and offered tea, loaned us their Yellow Pages, and gave us lots of sympathy. I caught Andie and Lynn's names, but more people than that helped. Thanks.

From their balcony, I watched our car burn and took a few photos, before talking to a police officer. I took a few more photos after the firefighters got there.

Thanks to the guy from Science Art and More who asked if we wanted him to use his fire extinguisher. We looked at the rapidly mounting flames and advised him against it. But we appreciated the thought.

We also appreciate the firefighters letting us know that the loud bangs we heard after the fire started were the front tire popping, then the front struts shooting out. Yowza.

All the photos I took are in a Flickr set, because this is the information age and what the hell do you do when your car burns up? After you call your insurance company, talk to policemen and firemen, stop by Whole Foods for produce and Jamba Juice, and catch a bus home, you blog it and share photos, that's what.

If anyone out there was among the shutterbugs, we'd love to see your photos, as we await further discussion with our insurance company.

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I feel a little guilty that, as I took these photos, I had the presence of mind to think, "This is gonna make a killer Seattlest post."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.
By James in on January 28, 2007 8:53 PM

Comments [rss]

  • David Sutton

    This is from the baby's grandfather (and the driver's father):



    1) What sensitive and literate posts from all (unlike my experience with blogs)



    2) Trite, but I just have to second all that's been said about the relative importance of things and people.



    3) We benefit so much from technology, but in some ways we are skating on a thin veneer (how's that for mixing metaphors?) which depends on it all working correctly. Sometimes, when even a little piece (like whatever went wrong with the car) doesn't, the results can be catastrophic. Sooo glad that in this case it's the car that was, not the people I love so much.

  • step

    Wish you could have joined us @ passatworld.com before this happened. Glad that you and your family made it out safely. If you think of getting another Passat (which I imagine would be hard to do), have a look at the site. Great people willing to share their knowledge and create a community. Good luck with insurance!

  • Puget Sounder

    Two words.



    Subaru Outback.



    I was actually a little worried when you bought your VW, because I know how mechanically frustrating newer Passats with the 1.8T engine can be. I never thought one would blow up like this!

  • Lantern Bearer

    Do mot sit on your trusting hands and let the insurance company come up with something. I have learned from tough experience. Get an attorney and let him or her run interference for you. There is no use in being further victimized. Get an attorney - perhaps one with product liability experience.



    Lantern Bearer

  • TWICE? I'm amazed you still drive.



    Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. Right now, we don't really know what happened -- I expect we'll hear something from our insurance once they investigate. Happily, we have rental car coverage, so we'll have something to ride around in. The only crucial replacement is the car seat, of course -- even though this one wasn't in a crash, it's probably full of smoke and water, and the firefighters told my wife we shouldn't keep it and use it.



    Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. People have asked if it was scary, and it was more so in the abstract -- at the time I was too busy switching into crisis mode (get the kid, get away) to get scared. Later, it was just interesting to see the car burn and the firefighters attack the flames.

  • ann adams

    I've had that happen twice over the far too many years I've been driving. It's terrifying. So glad all are okay. Stuff can be replaced; people can't.

  • Dom

    Wow. Just, wow. Happy to hear you're safe and sound. I hope that's all covered by insurance!

  • Erik

    Yikes! Glad you're safe. What was the cause?



    If you need a ride, let me know.

  • Secret South

    Wow. So glad you all were safe. With the risk of sounding trite, I recommend you checking out the new Modest Mouse song 'Dashboard'. It seems to be a good fit with the above entry. You can hear it on their website.

  • LarryB

    Glad you all got out safely. Cars just aren't supposed to do that.

  • dantc

    Holy crap. Glad you're all okay.

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