Case Study: Mitsubishi Expo LRV
Overview


Mitsubishi Expo showing external heat damage to hood and right front fender and bumper

 

Non-collision Fire Information

  • 1993 Mitsubishi Expo LRV
  • Reported stolen
  • No witnesses to fire, fire extinguished without fire department involvement
  • Fire damage limited to engine compartment

The owner of a 1993 Mitsubishi Expo LRV minivan discovered it was missing and reported it stolen. Two days later, another homeowner called the police to report that the same vehicle had been parked by his house; the homeowner had been away from home for an unknown duration. The vehicle had been parked down a steep grass driveway where it was not be easily visible from the street. While no one reported seeing the fire, police found there had been fire in the engine compartment. The fire was not burning when the police arrived and they were not aware of any witnesses to the fire. Although the ignition lock was not broken, the circumstances were consistent with theft. Police reported having arrested individuals for car theft in the region and finding sets of master keys in their possession.

Burn damage was limited to the upper, right rear area of the engine compartment. There was no propagation to the interior; polymeric grommets in the bulkhead remained intact.

A yellow-white powder was present in the engine compartment throughout the burn-damaged area. The powder had the appearance of fire suppressant.

Limited burn pattern to the rear of the engine compartment and hood indicated fire predominantly rear of the center of the engine compartment, high, and toward the passenger side. One flexible gasoline line was the only breached fluid source in the burn-damaged area of the engine compartment. The brake fluid reservoir, also on the right side, was burn damaged with fluid remaining. The charred remnants of a nylon garment were found on the right rear of the valve cover. It is possible that the material was used during an arson attempt on the vehicle.


Underhood view, showing heat damage concentrated near bulkhead and toward passenger side.

 

View looking rearward toward bulkhead on passenger side. Brake master cylinder reservoir is in the center. Green-colored fabric, just behind valve cover is visible in the lower portion of the photo.

 

In addition to the fire in the engine compartment, the right-front fender and adjacent bumper also showed scorching from heat. This region was not directly associated with other areas of burn damage.