JL Wrangler Catches on Fire After Hit from the Rear

Crashes are weird. Sometimes you see a mangled up smoking twisted piece of metal thinking for sure the occupants are dead. Only to see them without a scratch. Then. Other times they are dead from what looks like nothing more than a light fender bender. Fire though. Is a motherfucker. Especially if knocked unconscious or trapped.
 

Sharkey

Word Ninja
Article update makes it seem like the fire didn’t start until the Jeep was pushed into the other vehicle head on. And both those vehicles caught fire.
 

jeeeep

Hooked
That's sad.
I have a fire extinguisher but I'm thinking the fire safety sticks may be a better option for fast access
 

Team.RGP

Member
Sad story but interesting topic.
Do you know if the jeep was a 2.0T? These engines are equipped with etorq technology and they carry a big battery pack (48v) near the rear axle… Lithium batteries and big impacts don’t fit very well, ao maybe this can be a reason to start a fire if you are rear ended?

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Lord60

Member
So, I've been talking to a buddy of mine in Utah who saw a JL on fire near his house. After talking to his neighbor who saw what happened and talking to a police officer at the scene, he said that the JL was hit from the rear by a truck and it instantly burst into flames. Sadly, the driver died in the accident along with 2 other people in a different car that got caught up in the mess. Here is a news article about what happened.


Now, I don't know all the details but I am super curious as hell what could have caused the JL to burst into flames? I mean, the JL isn't an old TJ or WJ with a gastank hanging low on the back bumper. Any thoughts?
Maybe he had some full Jerry's back there?
 

jeeeep

Hooked
I've been mulling over this, the plastic tank seems pretty well protected and I haven't heard or seen where dents in the skid plate caused damage to the plastic tank that would cause it to leak. My theory, the tank must have separated from the filler tube assembly allowing vapors to escape and a spark ignited it.

Similar to the pinto where the filler neck would break off causing fuel to leak and ignite.

I wish there was a way to find out what the fire marshal's findings were.
 
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