Şençağ: Fire Extinguishers Could Save Your Vehicle

Şençağ said there has been an increase in vehicle fires in the country in recent months, particularly involving passenger cars. He added that fires involving construction machinery operating in rural areas have also increased, as some have developed into wider wildfires.

Speaking on Radio Mayıs’ “Mayıs Manşet” programme hosted by Meltem Sakin, Şençağ said that following work carried out in response to the fires, a new rule had been introduced requiring passenger vehicles and construction machinery operating in rural areas to carry fire extinguishers.

He said the rule was essentially intended to help drivers protect their own property.

If a small spark or smoke is detected inside a vehicle, a one-kilogram fire extinguisher can help put out the fire before it spreads, Şençağ said.

He noted that this could help drivers protect both their vehicles and their own safety. However, once a fire grows and reaches a certain level of intensity, a one-kilogram extinguisher would not be sufficient to put it out.

Şençağ stressed that a fire extinguisher can nevertheless play an important role if the driver remains alert and detects the fire at an early stage.

“This fire extinguisher could put you in a position to save a vehicle that you bought for £10,000, £15,000 or £40,000,” he said.