r/Firefighting • u/AffableEffable • May 17 '25

Ask A Firefighter Is This Retired Firefighter's Claim About Putting Out a Car Fire Correct?

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Hi, I ran into this discussion on twitter, and most people in the comments were really mad at the ELBainter person (who claims to be a retired firefighter). I know absolutely nothing about any of this, so I was curious: are they right and the people there are just stupid, the opposite, or something in between?

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u/taylordobbs Volly Probie May 18 '25

Risk a lot to save a lot. Risk a little to save a little. Risk nothing if there is nothing to be saved.

Even if the car itself were not totaled, attempting to put out a car fire with no PPE is arguably risking a lot, and with no lives in the car to save there’s just no reason to get that close.