-----Original Message-----
From: NLECTC Outreach Manager [mailto:outreachmanager@law-west.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 2:42 PM
Subject: PATROL CAR FIRE

The following message was sent to the Deputy's of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. This is being provided only for information. Outreach Manager, wj.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BROADCAST ANNOUNCEMENT
COMMUNICATIONS AND FLEET MANAGEMENT BUREAU

TO: ALL PERSONNEL

SUBJECT: PATROL CAR FIRE

A PATROL STATION VEHICLE RECENTLY CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE DEPUTY DRIVING THE CAR SMELLED SMOKE FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE TRUNK, REMOVED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS BURNING SO HOT THAT
IT OVERPOWERED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

DURING AN ARSON INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY OUR DEPARTMENT'S ARSON UNIT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN AN AMMO CAN CONTAINING ROAD FUSES (FLARES).

THE ARSON INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THIS IS NOT HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE AT HANDLING A FUSEE FIRE. A LOCAL AGENCY HAD THREE SUCH EVENTS WITHIN A VERY SHORT PERIOD. ARSON BELIEVES THAT THE CONSTANT POUNDING AND VIBRATION CAN CAUSE THE FLARES TO
SELF IGNITE.

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE ENDS OF THE FUSES BE EXAMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC CAP/IGNITER IS IN PLACE AND THAT THE FLARES ARE RESTRAINED FROM MOVING WHILE
CONTAINED WITHIN THE AMMO CAN OR ORIGINAL CARDBOARD BOX.