A driver in Des Moines, IA, recently experienced brake failure and soon after, the vehicle burst into flames. Firefighters believe the heat generated from a hole in the exhaust system burned through the brake lines.
Below is the article as it appeared on The Des Moines Register website.
Vehicle fire follows brake failure in downtown Des Moines
April 29, 2011
By Tom Alex
A motorist escaped injury Friday morning in downtown Des Moines after the vehicle lost its brakes and then caught fire.
Des Moines firefighters said Jennifer Jolley was southbound on Ninth Street when the brake failure occurred. At the same time she noticed fire was coming up through the floor.
She was dodging cars and finally bumped into a parked car while going about 5 mph, officials said.
Firefighters found a hole in the exhaust system that is believed to have burned through brake lines, resulting in brake failure.
To read the article on The Des Moines Register website, visit http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110429/NEWS/110429012/Vehicle-fire-follows-brake-failure-in-downtown-Des-Moines.