Fire Department

Engine 5 responded for a reported car fire. Upon arrival, E5 found people standing outside in the driveway of the addressed home with a car that had the hood open. E5 made contact with the homeowners, who reported that the fire was out and no one was injured. The car owner reported that he drove the car home from work in Middleton, parked it in the driveway and went in the house. About 20 minutes later, his wife came home and found the car in the driveway with flames coming out from under the hood. He came out and along with the neighbor, they were able to put the fire out with two extinguishers and a garden hose. E5 observed a large amount of grass and dried vegetation type material packed into the front of the engine compartment resting immediately on the engine exhaust manifold shield. The car owner reported that the car had been sitting unused since early spring and he only recently began driving it. He stated that he never opened the hood to check the engine compartment. He believes, and it appeared that an animal had built a nest on the engine compartment and that is what began burning. E5 observed most of the material to be removed or soaking wet when they inspected the area. Some engine compartment components were melted. E5 checked the car with the TIC and found no more significant sources of heat. There was no fire damage extending into the passenger compartment.