HAMPTON — A parked minivan caught fire shortly before the evening rush hour Wednesday, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles before the flames were quickly put out by firefighters.
The vehicle, a Ford Windstar, had been parked on a grassy area over dried leaves next to a stack of wooden pallets along an embankment behind the Kia of Sussex dealership in front of the Walmart on Route 206 North, according to Hampton Fire Chief Dave Gunderman.
Sources indicated the vehicle caught fire shortly before 4 p.m. and quickly became engulfed in flames after its owner, who had left it parked there for some time, returned and started the engine. The fire spread to the pallets and adjoining hillside.
Neither the owner nor any firefighters were hurt, according to Gunderman.
“By the time I arrived, it was pretty well-involved, but it was extinguished pretty quickly,” said Gunderman.
Gunderman said that because of the fire’s intense heat, which was exacerbated by the vehicle’s magnesium components, firefighters had to use water and foam to put it out.
Water alone can separate into its hydrogen and oxygen components when subjected to the extreme heat of a magnesium fire, which can cause the oxygen to combine with the magnesium vapors and ignite. Water and foam together help reduce the fire’s temperature, thus allowing the water to do its job and put the fire out.
The Hampton Fire Department was assisted in its response by firefighters from Fredon and Stillwater.
Eric Obernauer can also be contacted on Twitter: @EricObernNJH or by phone at 973-383-1213.
