One month, and then it was toast

You may be correct; I also noticed that approx half of the bumper reinforcement (also Alum Alloy) melted away, so there were some hotter areas.

Still, it would also be interesting to examine the wheels to see if they sagged with the weight of the car on them and the temp very close to the melting temp of Al Alloy.

 

Oh my gosh! My profound sympathies.
I just discovered yesterday that someone at my wife's campus kicked in the lower plastic grill work on the front of our Prius. After looking at these photos, my $90 quote for replacement parts doesn't seem that bad at all.

Code Blue, I'd like to add my voice to those that have already expressed their gratitude that your family was not injured. I hope the criminal is soon apprehended.

I know this might sound odd, but upon reflecting about the mean things some folks do in this world, it makes me want to do more good deeds, perhaps in an attempt to restore the cosmic balance. Well, that's my plan.

Wishing you a speedy recovery from a terrible event.

SAPrius

 

wow... other than the vertical aluminum panels, the aluminum is completely gone. that was a hot fire!!

i guess you answered the question, if i had my choice of any car after owning my Prius, would i still get a Prius?

i said yes and i think you will be happy you did as well... too bad you had to sacrifice your garage to answer that...

well, build it bigger and better

 

OMG, what a story and the pictures really indicates how hot the fire truly was. It is good to see that it all worked out well with the insurance carrier, dealer and the ability to obtain an identical replacement. Curious, as having moved from Chicago a couple of years ago are you located in the city or in the burbs. Garage fires are too popular with arsons in Chicago.

 

I am ordering one from them this weekend and won't have it until August.

 

the heat must have been quite strong every aluminum part has simply disappeared...
No Hood no hatchback and no door handles anymore...

 

The important thing is that both you and your wife are okay, and not hurt. But that is one heck of a story. Glad you folks are a-okay. :thumb:

 

Is that the new "Ash Grey" color scheme?

 

Not just the Al hood and hatch, everything 'glass' (Windshield, Windows) were melted away too.....this fire is blazing hot!

The whole Prius chassis (body) is still intact, this demotrates the toughness of high-strength steels. The Hybrid drivetrain seems salvageable (lower portion at least), maybe the CVT tranny or the engine block. And the gas tank (and gas) too, it didn't explode.

Still amazing to look at your 'toasted' Prius....but glad you got the Mark II in a timely manner.

 

Wow is right!
Welcome to prius chat by the way.

 

Good to see that the car was a total loss, otherwise what you said was right, the insurance company would have tried to repair it and it would never be the same.

I disagree that State Farm deserves recognition. They were sued for unfair insurances practices before and I have a lawsuit I am handling against them for two elderly people. They won't settle and are trying to wear down my clients by requiring them to go to trial next week. [My clients who are in their 70s have never sued anyone and are really mad at State Farm for putting them through a PI lawsuit to get a fair settlement.]

But your car and claim was an open/shut claim and there was nothing to fight about. SF would have been hard pressed to deny the claim. And since it was a new car they could not deduct for depreciation.

Normally, if the car was is six months old or therabouts they would have paid the actual cash value that might have been a few thousand less than what you paid.

Did they ever catch the arsonist? What a creep.

Great pics by the way.

I think there is a moral to the story: always have insurance and make sure the premiums are paid!

 

The important thing is that you and your family are OK. The story and pictures are incredible! I applaud your dealership and insurance company for their diligence, compassion, and efficiency in dealing with your situation. Too often, I've had to deal with subpar insurance companies, and it's not fun, especially when the poor customer is suffering. No matter your curiosity, DO NOT look at the trac battery - it could still be holding a charge!

Good luck and well done.

 

...hmmm, well at least we now know that it burns well.

:drum:

that's a smokin ride...I'll be here all week

Love...

 

Echoing pretty much everyone else:

"Wow!" and "Glad you're all ok!"

Hoping it doesn't come across as callous, but were there any issues with combustible parts?

Specifically, what happened with:

1. The gas in the gas tank?
2. The Hybrid Battery Cells?

Up to now I'm seriously considering buying a Fuel Cell car when it's available, but I didn't consider arsonists in the picture