Freak accident destroys seven cars

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The West Australian town of Geraldton is situated some 257 miles (413 kms) north of the capital, Perth. Last Saturday, several vehicles and a shade structure in a shopping centre carpark there were destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at $A125,000. A number of vehicles were totally destroyed in the blaze and the intense heat melted the shade structure under which they were parked. The point I found interesting – and scary – was that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault in an aromatherapy device in the rear of one of the cars. The temperature on the day was 40C (104F) with hot, easterly winds. Temperatures inside closed cars could reach 65C (149F) causing items such as cigarette lighters or pressurised containers to be catalysts for fire. Authorities also said that electrical work on vehicles should be carried out be qualified electricians. A freak accident has now left at least seven families without a car. Most fire-damaged cars are written off. Let’s hope they all had insurance. Photo is of a sculpture at Geraldton of a woman looking out to sea at the place where the HMAS Sydney was sunk by a German destroyer during World War II. I've written about it here: https://www.mylot.com/post/2968264/the-645-men-who-never-came-home