Flaming Rodent Ball of Death

[InsanityInc]

Hey guys, just checking to see if my reactions are completely off base or what.

I just finished reading an article where this woman's car was blown up, by a squirrel that had chewed into a power line resulting in a Flaming Rodent Ball of Death (TM) that hit her car, slid into the engine compartment, thereby making her car explode when it hit bad things. (Not sure exactly what engine parts would do this, but the mental image is funny as h*ll.)

This particular website allows readers to post comments on the stories. The first comment was someone telling readers not to laugh as the power company who owns the lines the squirrel chewed through would not pay for the woman's car.

Now, am I the only person who if this had happened to me would have: 1. Invented new swear words on the spot. 2. Called my CAR insurance company for help. Sueing the power company would have never crossed my mind, being as I have been on the Rodent-proofing Merry-Go-Round a few times, and know you can't successesfully rodent proof jack sh*t. Am I wrong, or am I only seeing someone who thinks to have someone else pay for their misfortunes?

[crazylegs]

I would imagine under a fully comprehensive policy it would be covered under fire, but if you only have third party cover your screwed. Royally.

[Gurndigarn]

I just finished reading an article where this woman's car was blown up, by a squirrel that had chewed into a power line resulting in a Flaming Rodent Ball of Death (TM) that hit her car, slid into the engine compartment, thereby making her car explode when it hit bad things. (Not sure exactly what engine parts would do this, but the mental image is funny as h*ll.)

It's funny, but quite suspicious. Cars don't explode, unless the studio puts explosive devices in them. Burning devices don't count-- they don't spread gas fumes around enough to cause fireballs. Also... FRBoD hit her car, slid into the engine compartment? Through the radiator? OK, maybe it was an old VW Beetle... except that the engine was in the back of those things.

[protege]

It's funny, but quite suspicious. Cars don't explode, unless the studio puts explosive devices in them.

I've seen one explode...and that was because the idiot ran over a rock, and punctured the fuel tank. As for the story, I'm calling bullshit on it. Too many holes. Unless she's driving an Austin (or Morris) Mini, the radiator would have stopped any projectiles. Not so with an original Mini, as the radiator is actually mounted in the left fender...meaning the grille is completely open. Even so, it would have been difficult--the slats should have stopped it.

Methinks that woman simply didn't take care of the car, had it towed to a garage, found out it was going to be expensive...and is now looking for someone to blame.

[Soulstealer]

It's funny, but quite suspicious. Cars don't explode, unless the studio puts explosive devices in them. Burning devices don't count-- they don't spread gas fumes around enough to cause fireballs. Also... FRBoD hit her car, slid into the engine compartment? Through the radiator? OK, maybe it was an old VW Beetle... except that the engine was in the back of those things.

Wasn't the squirrel on fire at the time? Fire + flammable liquids in engine = pretty pyrotechnics.

That could explain it, really it just needs a bit of heat landing in the right place.

[Rapscallion]

Not really - engines are designed to keep as much of that inside as possible, what with the danger to the occupants and everything. I really am struggling to see how this could have happened.

Rapscallion

[TrainedChimp]

If the engine wasn't kept in good condition, then there could have been oil covering most if not all of the block. And motor oil does burn well.

[repsac]

An older engine with a carb could do it. That or an exposed fuel line. The more modern ones with fuel injection wouldn't be as likely to burn.

[Rapscallion]

It's a 2006 Camry, according to the linked article. Modern safety features are fairly good.

Rapscallion

[Spiffy McMoron]

FRBoD hit her car, slid into the engine compartment? Through the radiator? OK, maybe it was an old VW Beetle... except that the engine was in the back of those things.

I'm calling BS on this story for a couple of reasons:

1) I've never heard on an incident where a squirrel chews through a power line.
2) Assuming that a squirrel did chew through a power line, the electrical shock would have doubtless killed the little bugger. But would it have turned the squirrel into a flamball? It would probably smoke quite a bit, but I doubt that it would catch on fire.
3) Assuming that it did catch on fire, the fire would probably not be very big, and would not stay lit very long.
4) Assuming that the squirrel stayed on fire after falling from the power line, when it landed on the Camry, it would not be able to slide into the engine compartment. The gap between the windshield and hood is not big enough--they seal that up fairly well to keep stuff out of the engine compartment. The engineers and designers are thinking of leaves, rain and snow, but it would also keep out squirrels. And a 2006 Camry would simply NOT be leaking mass quanties of oil on the ground.

This whole story stinks to high heaven.

[sms001]

I'm calling BS on this story for a couple of reasons:

I'm usually first on board the Shenanigans Train, but just for the change of scenery I think I'm gonna go with Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction on this one.

I'm thinking Rocky does the kamikaze Chew & Fall but is alive and on fire when he lands next to the Camry. Since a frightened tree rat's instinct is to climb, he enters the vehicle's engine compartment from underneath and his bushy tail bonfire ignites rather than explodes the car.

Let's give the story a week or so and see how it pans out.

[blas]

Actually Spiffy, a squirrel did at one time get electrocuted or whatever you want to call it, and it happened to land on my car, dead as a doornail. But it landed on the hood.

I call BS as well. There's no physical way the squirrel could have rolled under the hood. There's not enough room.

[Spiffy McMoron]

I'm thinking Rocky does the kamikaze Chew & Fall but is alive and on fire when he lands next to the Camry. Since a frightened tree rat's instinct is to climb, he enters the vehicle's engine compartment from underneath and his bushy tail bonfire ignites rather than explodes the car.

That may be, but I stand on my reasons for calling bull on this--especially the "squirrel being on fire" bit. Plus, I think that IF the squirrel is on fire, it's going to keep running, not hang out in an engine.

It'll be interesting to hear what the insurance company says about this. Would this be considered an Act of God? (My insurance agent has informed me that Acts of God are generally not covered under my insurance policy.)

Actually Spiffy, a squirrel did at one time get electrocuted or whatever you want to call it, and it happened to land on my car, dead as a doornail. But it landed on the hood.

Huh! I guess you can strike that claim off of my list. Usually, the squirrels around here aren't that suicidal--or they don't want to go out with that big a bang.

[Broomjockey]

(My insurance agent has informed me that Acts of God are generally not covered under my insurance policy.)

Claim atheism, then discrimination if they try that

[Spiffy McMoron]

Claim atheism, then discrimination if they try that

Or check and see if Acts of Vishu are covered instead.