Showroom Mercedes Fire in Sacramento
A fire inside a showroom at a Mercedes-Benz dealership today damaged several vehicles. The service department is expected to be closed for a few days while the strong smell of smoke is vented. Repairs to the showroom are underway, and it is not expected to reopen today. However, the dealership has two showrooms; the other one will be open as usual. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
What Happened
In the early morning hours, a fire broke out inside the Mercedes-Benz showroom near the intersection of Howe Avenue and Alta Arden Boulevard. The fire was reported by a deputy who saw smoke and flames streaming from the building’s front. The dealership owner believes the fire may have been caused by a Mercedes minivan with extensive conversions, such as electronic devices installed.
Fire Crews Respond
Fire crews arriving at the scene of the blaze reportedly called in backup help since the extent of the blaze was unknown at the time. After forcing their way into the building, the fire was put out in less than an hour since it was closed due to the late hour.
Damage to the Building
It was reported that no one sustained injuries from the blaze since the building was closed at the fire. Most of the damage was in the showroom, with three vehicles involved in the accidental fire.
History
This was not the first time Mercedes had a problem with car fires. A one-million vehicle recall was announced in March 2017 by Mercedes. The recall involved fire breaking out in the luxury cars due to what was described as a defective fuse, according to carbuzz.com. The vehicles were manufactured between 2015 and 2017. Of the recalled vehicles thought to have the problem, 307,629 are in the United States. There were 51 car fires reported. The recalled models are E- and C-Class, GLC-Class, and GLC models. Car fires from auto defects are not uncommon.
Incidence of Car Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 152,300 car fires between 2006 and 2010. Two hundred and nine people died, 764 were injured, and damage was estimated at $536 million. Sixty-six of the fires involved malfunctions in the electrical or mechanical systems. Two percent started in fuel tanks, and 4 percent resulted from rollover accidents.
Injuries in Car Fires
Injuries suffered in car fires are caused by burns, which can result in disfiguring and life-threatening circumstances. The burns can range from first-degree burns to fourth-degree.
- First-degree burns involve only the outer layer of the skin and usually heal without complication.
- Second-degree burns involve both the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis. This is a more painful burn, and medical treatment is usually necessary.
- Third-degree burns involve the epidermis, dermis, muscles, tendons, nerves, and bone. Because nerves are injured, pain may be less severe. However, skin grafts are often necessary. Infection is a common danger, and precautions are taken to prevent this. The patient may be hospitalized for a long, and recovery involves extensive rehabilitative efforts.
- Fourth-degree burns impact all skin layers and bones and are often fatal due to their severity. Kidney failure is often a fatal complication in large-scale burns.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Burn injuries may be severe and require long-term hospitalization, rehabilitation, and plastic surgery in some instances. If you have become a victim of a defective product that caused your burn injuries, call me at (916) 921-6400 for help. I am here with free and friendly advice on whether you may obtain compensation for your financial losses. Outside Sacramento, please call (800) 404-5400 or use our convenient contact form at my website, AutoAccident.com.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/car-accident-fire-street-accident-2789841/
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