Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: GTVeloce on May 28, 2012, 10:13:39 PM

Title: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: GTVeloce on May 28, 2012, 10:13:39 PM
I just caught a news article of a car that caught fire in the tunnel and set the sprinklers off. It looked like a Alfa GT. Anybody know any details?
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on May 28, 2012, 10:27:54 PM
I got stirred about that today by the Falcan owners at work, i actually wasn't sure if they were making it up, check tommorows papers, didn't hear anything on the news, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Neil Choi on May 28, 2012, 10:51:01 PM
Try here

http://video.heraldsun.com.au/2239975638/Burnley-Tunnel-car-fire
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: shiny_car on May 29, 2012, 06:41:38 AM
Definitely a bad week for damaged cars. First, a smashed up Aston Martin One-77 in HK. Now, a fire in a GT!!! I don't know which is worse.  ;D

Sad, reading about the GT. Thing is, it's probably more precious to that owner than the Aston was, to its owner.

:)
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on May 29, 2012, 07:46:53 PM
Thats why i have a fire extingusher in my car, insurance companys used to offer 2.5% discount if you carried one , modern cars with high pressure [JTS] injection systems, only need a slight leak in the fuel system, and up they go, be interested to know what caused it, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: ANG156 on May 30, 2012, 06:35:47 PM
I wonder if blocked catalytic converters can cause this?
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on May 30, 2012, 08:04:37 PM
The common thought down the pub is that all Alfa Romeo's are rubbish and are always breaking down, rusting and now catching fire, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Palermo TI on May 31, 2012, 12:22:19 AM
Oh no:'( This could only happen to alfas, I suppose! People that think so should really grow up >:(
Ciao Fab
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: GTVeloce on May 31, 2012, 10:33:09 AM
I thought the spelling was Alpha Romeo...
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: kartone on May 31, 2012, 01:24:20 PM
Too much plastic, if it metal and rust it wouldn't have burned !
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: kartone on May 31, 2012, 01:28:12 PM
What happened to fire extinguishers mounted on the wall of the tunnel as in EU & NA ?
If water deluge was the only answer the alpine countries would be in trouble (especially in winter).
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Beatle on May 31, 2012, 06:24:48 PM
Have you seen how ineffective a 1kg extinguisher is on an engine fire?  I have two in my 4WD and one in the Alfa, but they are pretty useless.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: McAnnik on May 31, 2012, 06:53:57 PM
  An older "standard" (now barred from use because of "Green" issues  Etc. Etc. Etc and a $10000 fine if your caught using one!)is the "Halon' extinguiisher which would have put the blaze out  in about 4.6 seconds. I still carry one and stuff the rules,I WILL USE IT if its to save my car or (God Help Us),SOMEONE ELSES LIFE!!!! maybe even my own!. Enuf said on that!!!.........................................Cheers


Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Beatle on May 31, 2012, 07:35:15 PM
Yes, a 'BCF' extinguisher is much more useful.  A 1kg bottle will chill down a carton of 24 cans to drinking temp...... ;D   And I believe the fine is $10K in vic fior possession, $20K for discharging one  :o
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on May 31, 2012, 08:54:51 PM
Hey GTVeloce, the spelling Alpha Romeo is only if you are A Current Affair or other type of Bogan, a 1kg dry powder fire extinguisher is better than nothing, i was driving an old Gemini years ago, and the engine caught fire, put it out with a bottle of solo, [i am not making this up], should shake up powder extinguishers every month or so, to stop powder packing tightly, and not coming out when needed, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: McAnnik on June 02, 2012, 11:05:41 AM
  Col, you could have saved the bottle of Solo. I thought you knew that Gemini's had capabilities to self extinguish....once there was nothing left to burn!
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: ARQ164 Shane on June 02, 2012, 11:43:55 AM
Quote from: GTVeloce on May 31, 2012, 10:33:09 AM
I thought the spelling was Alpha Romeo...

OK Bub, A.L.F.A. (Anoima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili).
(SOURCE:alfaromeo.co.uk)
I hope that will helps !

I also have a powder ext in front of my seat for $30 who would'en
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on June 02, 2012, 12:50:02 PM
Mr McAnnik, i did think for a few seconds, what to do, whether to let the hated Gemini burn to the ground or try to save it, but if you ever make a claim for a burnt out car on insurance it stays on your record forever...., i also have an illegal yellow fire extinguisher at home in my garage, just in case the 33 or 156 decide to go up, you could always paint your yellow fire extinguisher red, as i have seen done, but has anybody heard what happened to the Alfa in the Burnley tunnel?, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Duk on June 02, 2012, 01:38:08 PM
Quote from: colcol on June 02, 2012, 12:50:02 PM
Mr McAnnik, i did think for a few seconds, what to do, whether to let the hated Gemini burn to the ground or try to save it, but if you ever make a claim for a burnt out car on insurance it stays on your record forever...., i also have an illegal yellow fire extinguisher at home in my garage, just in case the 33 or 156 decide to go up, you could always paint your yellow fire extinguisher red, as i have seen done, but has anybody heard what happened to the Alfa in the Burnley tunnel?, Colin.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!
Admitting to serious illegal behavior on a public forum, is not real smart if push comes to shove!
A guy at work lost his job (For his position, an easy $85k/year income) during the 'planking' era of stupidity, when he or 1 of his mates briefly posted a picture on Facebook, of him 'planking' at some serious height (about 30 metres up. IE: you fall, you die) at work.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on June 02, 2012, 05:33:49 PM
Both the 33 and 156 have the legal red extinguishers and the old yellow ones sits there, just in case...., we actually scrutineered a car with a repainted one yellow to red, not real clever, but when it comes to putting out fires, they can't be beaten, but back to my original question, anyone know what happened to the Alfa in the Burnley tunnel, must be round at a panel shop or soon to be Auction room, Colin.
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: McAnnik on June 02, 2012, 06:05:44 PM
   Paul, If I tally up my offences against the State (assuming I get sprung!) it totals $30.000.  The 10 Grand for having the yellow ext. in my posession, plus 20 Grand for using it (to save the Magistrates daughter from incineration!!!?)  O.K! hyperthetical incident,but would I risk that sort of "punishment" for trying to help in a time of need  (for anyone?)..No way! I'll keep my (red painted) bottle stashed somewhere out of sight.I may need it myself after all!....                         
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Duk on June 02, 2012, 06:14:25 PM
You two, do what you feel you need to do (yes, Halon extinguishers are very effective at fighting fires), just keep it to yourselves!!!
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: McAnnik on June 02, 2012, 06:33:29 PM
 Duk, your comments are well founded!!.... I say no more........The three wise monkeys live in my house with me,,,,,,,,,AND!   they drink all my beer!!!
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: Duk on June 02, 2012, 08:23:13 PM
Quote from: McAnnik on June 02, 2012, 06:33:29 PM
The three wise monkeys live in my house with me,,,,,,,,,AND!   they drink all my beer!!!

Your house too?!?!?!?
Fast little bastards aren't they? They get to my Cooper's, the little @#$%'s  >:( >:( >:(!!!



;) ;D :P
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: GTVeloce on June 04, 2012, 12:11:52 PM
QuoteOK Bub, A.L.F.A. (Anoima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili).
(SOURCE:alfaromeo.co.uk)
I hope that will helps !

The spelling was a reference to the A.C.A post...
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=8931.0;topicseen
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: AikenDrum105 on June 04, 2012, 01:17:34 PM
If anyone saw my white Giulia Super stopped just off the Burnley exit ramp of the Burnley tunnel last thursday arvo, with me sitting on the crash barrier a little further up:   The reason it wasn't a conflagration of molten bodyfiller and twinspark bits is because I'd just run out of petrol. 

Oh the ignominy.   Yes the reserve light works.  Yes I'm a spanner.     The needle was still moving I tells ya !   

Very grateful we made it to the exit ramp, and didn't block a lane...

Plenty of helpful passing motorists tooted their support though, and my flagging spirits cheered immensely.

It was *support* they were tooting,  wasn't it ?     

:)

Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: 1750GT on June 11, 2012, 12:01:12 AM
I was told by an acquatance of mine from Sydney that his sons 147 had a similar fate recently, apparently fuel lines leaked and cupoof the car went up in flames. He was just fanging it and having fun but alas no longer has an Alfa.

Thankfully he got out, somewhat shaken, but all is OK with him.

1750GT
Title: Re: Alfa catches fire in Burnley tunnel!
Post by: colcol on June 14, 2012, 08:26:43 PM
See my comments about fire extinguishers, [never without one], one of the first things i put in my 156, with old carby cars, they only have a few lbs of fuel pump pressure, EFI, lots more pressure and lots more fuel gushing out, EFI fuel lines don't last forever, check them regulary, Colin.