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

[u/AffableEffable]

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?

[u/SwimmingPen9652]

Career firefighter with 26yrs. There is exactly 0 chance you are putting out/stopping/slowing that fire with two little dry chemical extinguishers. That car is toast. Far better chance that somebody gets hurt trying or sucks in a few breaths of really toxic smoke and ends up in hospital.

[u/robertbuzbyjr → u/SwimmingPen9652]

Or worse - dead , so many plastics, and chemicals in the composites of newer cars a self contained breathing apparatus ( scba aka the air tank and mask us firefighters use).

[u/Seanpat68 → u/robertbuzbyjr]

Relax I’m more worried about breathing in the dry chem than the smoke from the car

[u/robertbuzbyjr → u/Seanpat68]

Depending on what the dry chem is! One is actually what they use as antacid. 😁

[u/Seanpat68 → u/robertbuzbyjr]

Yes, sodium bicarbonate, which when inhaled can cause pulmonary edema.