BURLINGTON, Iowa – A weekend fire that torched a two-car garage and damaged half a dozen other properties may have been started by a vehicle listed as under recall for fire risk.
The fire happened Saturday at the 9th Street home of Jay and Mary Lou Klock. The Klocks' garage and car were destroyed, and the rear of their house was badly damaged. The fire also damaged six other nearby properties.
According to a release issued by Burlington Fire Marshal Mark Crooks, based on statements by the Klocks "the fire may have started inside the car parked in the Klock's garage. No foul play is suspected."
The car in question is a 2002 Buick Regal GS with a 3.8-liter supercharged V6 engine.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2002 Buick Regal GS cars with 3.8-liter supercharged V6 engines were put under safety recall in 2008 because of an oil leak problem that can lead to "a small pilot flame" which could "ignite other fuel sources."
The NHTSA reports that because of this problem "oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank… and deposit onto hot exhaust system components." Also, "reports indicate this most often occurs… shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked. Typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked."
Owner Jay Klock gave the following description of the fire to the Burlington Hawkeye:
"I was downtown doing some errands, and I got back, and the car smelled warm inside, like something was hot. I opened up the hood and looked under the car and couldn't find anything, but it still smelled like that," Klock told the Hawkeye. "I went inside the house and started watching the football game in the kitchen, and the garage was on fire."
Klock tells KWQC he was unaware of the recall and that he believed a problem with the car's seat warms must have caused the fire.
Fire officials have reached no conclusion as to the cause of the fire and say the investigation is still ongoing.
A weekend garage fire in Burlington, Iowa that damaged a total of 7 properties may have been started by a car listed as under recall for fire danger.
