Sunday Evening Musings
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (78439)
United States
August 24, 2025 10:57pm CST
Wow, what a shocking morning. As I was getting on the interstate to head for Chuy’s, the car ahead of me suddenly caught fire. I’m not talking smoking for half a mile then sparking. NO. This thing had a fireball coming out from beneath it. The driver was able to pull over into the emergency lane and exit the car, thankfully.
What was worse was talking to 911. Dang, that took forever. It should have been, “Hello, there’s a car on fire at this mile marker number on this interstate.” “Thank you.” No. A ten-second report was a three-minute conversation with someone who, to be honest, sounded like he was on his first day on the job. 
Thankfully, the driver was okay (there’s no news at all about it on any local news outlets).
Now that my back is finally eased up, I went to the grocery store today and spent too much money. 
Actually, I looked at the receipt and saw that I saved quite a bit. One thing I got that I must go back and get more of is peach applesauce. It’s exactly what the name implies: applesauce with peaches mixed in. Ooooh, was it good!!!
I’m done with describing the trip, but just for general purposes here’s a photo of me, photobombing some hole in the ground. Just over my left shoulder you can see the smoke from the Dragon Bravo fire, which has closed the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and destroyed a number of structures, including the Grand Canyon Lodge. 
I hope y’all have a great evening! 
Thankfully, the driver was okay (there’s no news at all about it on any local news outlets).
Now that my back is finally eased up, I went to the grocery store today and spent too much money. Actually, I looked at the receipt and saw that I saved quite a bit. One thing I got that I must go back and get more of is peach applesauce. It’s exactly what the name implies: applesauce with peaches mixed in. Ooooh, was it good!!!
I’m done with describing the trip, but just for general purposes here’s a photo of me, photobombing some hole in the ground. Just over my left shoulder you can see the smoke from the Dragon Bravo fire, which has closed the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and destroyed a number of structures, including the Grand Canyon Lodge.
I hope y’all have a great evening! 14 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
The 911 guy asked if I saw anyone trapped in the car, and I told him I didn’t stop…fire and gasoline aren’t a good combination and I don’t want to be near it.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (40082)
• Philippines
25 Aug
Wow, what a morning you had! Seeing a car suddenly burst into flames right in front of you must have been both terrifying and surreal. It’s such a relief that the driver managed to get out safely—that’s what really matters. I can imagine the frustration with the 911 call too; in moments like that, you just want quick action, not a drawn-out conversation.
Reading about the fire near the Grand Canyon struck me, since I had the chance to visit a few months ago. I only explored a portion of it—I honestly forgot if it was the southern rim or not—but the views were absolutely spectacular. It’s heartbreaking to think of the North Rim being damaged now. On a lighter note, I’m glad the rest of your day turned around with a good grocery run, and that peach applesauce sounds like a real treat—I’d be tempted to stock up too! Here’s hoping your evening is much calmer than your morning adventure.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
The most important thing about the morning incident was NO INJURIES. That’s a blessing.
That Dragon Bravo fire was started by a lightning strike. They’re up to 63% containment…meaning it’s not spreading, not that it’s extinguished. The recovery in that area will be a long one. I’m glad you’ve been able to see the Grand Canyon in person.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40082)
• Philippines
26 Aug
@FourWalls During our trip, we encountered a mishap when the tourist bus we were on experienced a problem. We ended up waiting for more than an hour for a replacement bus to pick us up. As a result, we arrived at the Canyon about an hour later than planned. However, after that, everything proceeded smoothly without any further issues.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48040)
•
25 Aug
I am glad you called for help for them, I know what that can be like. About a year ago I called 911 from an interstate when a car drove off the road into a corn field. I had to give them so much information about ME, it was crazy!
I truly enjoy your pictures and your trip descriptions. 
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179313)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Aug
I wonder if that fire was caused by those batteries they are putting in the newer cars. I have heard they are not safe. Glad the driver was okay.
I hope the structures are okay in that Grand Canyon fire.
Have a great week.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
27 Aug
@celticeagle — my parents had a Ford Pinto in the mid-70s, the era of their fire days. I hope everyone survives it the way we did!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
26 Aug
It was a newer model Kia (had the new logo that sort of looks like a Nine Inch Nails logo ), and allegedly their fire problems had been fixed. However, the insurance industry says that Kias are “uninsurable,” so…
), and allegedly their fire problems had been fixed. However, the insurance industry says that Kias are “uninsurable,” so…1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (482866)
• Italy
25 Aug
Oh my goodness, I wonder how this happens, but we read every day of cars that suddenly become a ball of fire. I had bad experiences calling for help in the past. They seem more interested to know who you are and why you are calling than taking care of the emergency.
Great selfie with the Grand Canyon!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
It was a Kia brand, and they have a bad reputation in America for catching fire…much like the Pinto from Ford in the 70s.
Everybody needs a selfie at the Grand Canyon!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
@LadyDuck — one of the greatest things about cell phones: take all the pictures you want!!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (482866)
• Italy
25 Aug
@FourWalls - The local statistics suggest that the hybrid cars are those that catch fire more often. The past winter a very expensive Lamborghini suddenly became a ball of fire.
Shame that we did not have digital cameras to take a selfie when we went there.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (158778)
• United States
26 Aug
I had no idea the North Rim area was burning! We stayed at the Grand Canyon Lodge when Pretty was little and drove around the North Rim after we left the next morning. (I bought Pretty a little stuffed burro at a tourist trap on the North Rim.)
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
26 Aug
It’s pretty destructive, and the smoke is traveling. I drove from the South Rim to Glen Canyon, and got close enough for the smoke to block the sun.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (158778)
• United States
26 Aug
@FourWalls Wow! Be careful if you drive out that way again any time soon.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92235)
• Bangalore, India
25 Aug
It's Monday morning here. Day has started well.
Happy and relieved that the driver is safe.
Peach applesauce sounds good. You should get more of them. Hope you find them. Sometimes some good stuffs go out of stock because of demand.
I have been to Grand Canyon thrice. It's mesmerizing.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
I was in a different part of town yesterday, so other stores might not have it. Hope that’s not the case.
You’re right about the Grand Canyon…I have no words to describe its beauty.
Hope you’ve had a good day.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92235)
• Bangalore, India
27 Aug
@FourWalls Oh! I see. I hope that it is available in stores near you too. That would be convenient. Grand Canyon is a nature's marvel
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
27 Aug
@arunima25 — I found more of it and stocked up!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (195493)
• United States
25 Aug
That's a great pic. I have seen some cars on fire before, but was never first on the scene.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
I went by there this morning (it’s my usual route), and the car wasn’t there. Hopefully that means the driver has good insurance!
Glad you’ve enjoy the picture. I certainly enjoyed being there!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48333)
• India
31 Aug
Emergency Lines should be able to respond fast enough.
Looks like it is 40 C plus in your area.
Is it Hot and dry or is it humid as well?
Peach Applesauce does sounds nice.
Yet Trump has killed the chances of it reaching India's shores with his tariff tariff bits !!
Anyways have a nice day !
Anyways have a nice day !1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
31 Aug
The courts have ruled that his tariffs are illegal, which should stop him (for now).
No, it’s not 40C here. We had a heat index that high, though. In contrast, it was 40C out in the desert (actual air temperature), but it’s a different feel to it. Where I live, in Kentucky, it’s very humid…although not as humid as Louisiana (one of the most humid places on earth that I’ve ever been to!). The difference in the heat is very real.
@Tampa_girl7 (53343)
• United States
27 Aug
Thank goodness the driver got out of the car safely. Glad that your back eased. The apple sauce sounds good.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
27 Aug
It's absolutely amazing. I don't know if I could make that myself with canned peaches and "regular" applesauce.
@wolfgirl569 (121858)
• Marion, Ohio
25 Aug
Glad that driver was okay.
Great photo
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
25 Aug
Any photo with the Grand Canyon is great indeed! Even with my old face in it.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (21008)
• United States
26 Aug
Glad the driver was okay. I saw a car burst in flames many years ago. I was living with my grandmother and I was looking outside at the house across the street and suddenly a car that was going down the street burst into flames. The driver was okay. My uncle who lived with us called 911.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
26 Aug
It’s good when something terrible like that results in no injuries or fatalities. Still scary to see, though.
1 person likes this
@YuleimaVzla (1847)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
25 Aug
That's what happens when you expect a day to be normal and suddenly, boom! I don't think even the car owner imagined he'd be left stranded. Maybe it was a fault with the fuel pump. And what you say is correct, one day I was reporting an accident on 911 and basically they were waiting for the disaster to happen first so they could act an hour later, that's how they are.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
26 Aug
I get it that people call 911 for stupid stuff, but if someone calls with panic in their voice saying, “There’s a car on fire in the emergency lane at this exact location,” maybe they should be believe and some prompt action should be taken.
The car was a Kia, and they have a bad reputation in America for fires, much like the old Ford Pinto did back in the 70s.
1 person likes this
@YuleimaVzla (1847)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
26 Aug
@FourWalls Yes, I think it's worldwide because here in Venezuela the same rumor about Kia is also spreading. I agree with you. I remember that I called 911, almost crying, because of an emergency, scared, and they were asking me rude questions. Do you think that at that moment a human being is there to fill out a questionnaire?They think you're at McDonald's filling out a survey about how you were served and what the level of service was, how terrible.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199754)
• United States
25 Aug
Who IS that person blocking the view? That's terrible about the fires. It destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge? Oh NO!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78439)
• United States
26 Aug
Yes, the Grand Canyon Lodge and about 100 other structures. Still not fully contained.
Yeah, I wish that old broad in front of the camera would go stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona or something. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199754)
• United States
26 Aug
@FourWalls That's a pity that so much was destroyed. Yes, I've seen her in so many pictures lately.
1 person likes this
