Opel Zafira started the car park fire in Cork

Rhys Essien

So another Zafira has gone on fire and has now caused multi millions of damage. Why aren't these cars taken off the road?

https://twitter.com/Corks96FM/status/1168412609999192065?s=19

colm_mcm

Thermal incident.

Now if the customer got a recall notice and ignored it, where does that leave them?

knucklehead6

colm_mcm wrote: »

Thermal incident.

Now if the customer got a recall notice and ignored it, where does that leave them?

In a world of pain would be my thoughts!!

And Opel aren’t going to be holding their hand up to say they had any pet to play in a hurry.

zilog_jones

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/up-to-60-cars-scorched-in-accidental-cork-car-park-blaze-1.4004015

The Times and a few other articles have claimed the cause was a Opel Zafira. I'm not certain if it has been 100% confirmed, but this video from the fire brigade around the source of the fire also shows what look like two Zafira B's:

https://twitter.com/CorkCityFire/status/1168091850676297728

The Zafira B (2005-2011) has gone through multiple safety recalls related to fires caused by the fan blower resistor pack and related components, including a recall earlier this year. Another Zafira B caught fire in Passage West near Cork city in 2015.

Reports have also suggested the car was already smoking before it entered the car park: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/cranes-to-remove-vehicles-after-cork-car-park-fire-947708.html

(note they only claim "seven-seater people carrier")

Of course there was some wild speculation that it was an electric car (because carrying around 40+ litres of petrol is totally safe, right?) which is most certainly a load of balls.

It seems there is significant structural damage to the steel framed car park, the entry/exit ramps are unusable and they will probably have to use cranes to remove the 200 or so cars. Demolition seems likely, though most of the shopping centre is a separate construction.

Phileas Frog

The car was already on fire before it drove into the carpark, apparently

Rhys Essien

Phileas Frog wrote: »

The car was already on fire before it drove into the carpark, apparently

I heard that. I don't want to be too harsh but that surely deserves a Darwin award.

In saying that, it's 2019 and Opel Zafira's are still going on fire.

KevRossi

Rhys Essien

400 people now out of work.

Kenny Logins

https://twitter.com/deshocks/status/1168438456944648192

https://twitter.com/fiona96fmnews/status/1168412539950161921

my3cents

Just out of interest is it possible to have a device in a car like a sprinkler system in a building where it turns on and dumps a load of foam in the affected area?

zilog_jones

That's only the recall from 2016. There have been at least three, including April this year: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/vauxhall/zafira/93176/vauxhall-zafira-recall-previously-fixed-cars-recalled-again

Kenny Logins

my3cents wrote: »

Just out of interest is it possible to have a device in a car like a sprinkler system in a building where it turns on and dumps a load of foam in the affected area?

Yeah, quite common in older VW campers but I have no idea about EV options.

* in retrofit kit form, that is.

zilog_jones

Fire suppression systems are common in racing cars, but not cheap.

mikeecho

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/opel-zafira-fire-risk-blamed-on-non-approved-parts-1.2402473

The problem has so far been traced to the car’s heating and air conditioning system but does not appear to be a manufacturing fault. According to Opel “so far it seems to be that it’s being caused either by a repair that wasn’t done properly or by the use of parts that aren’t approved by Opel.”

&

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/opel-recalls-8-200-cars-in-ireland-over-fire-risk-fears-1.2653557

Opel recalls 8,200 cars in Ireland over fire risk fears

Toyotafanboi

A lot of sighs of relief in BMW Ireland HQ this morning :pac:

mikeecho

Rhys Essien wrote: »

400 people now out of work.

More than 400, i'd imagine.


Lots of people use that car park when doing any business in Douglas village.
Ah well, at least the clampers in the woolen mills will be kept busy for the next few months.

Hellrazer

colm_mcm wrote: »

Thermal incident.

Now if the customer got a recall notice and ignored it, where does that leave them?

A lot more common than you`d think.
9 cancellations for this recall last week.

Id say after this being confirmed a Zafira all these cancellations will want bookings in a hurry!!!

gctest50

Will the new National Childrens Hospital have an underground car park ?

If so will they admit Zafiras, bmw's and other high risk yokes ?

dsmythy

gctest50 wrote: »

Will the new National Childrens Hospital have an underground car park ?

If so will they admit Zafiras, bmw's and other high risk yokes ?

I'd hope for massive fire safety procedures compared to your standard car park.

my3cents

gctest50 wrote: »

Will the new National Childrens Hospital have an underground car park ?

If so will they admit Zafiras, bmw's and other high risk yokes ?

I'll be checking where the exits routes and life rafts are next time I travel on the car ferry to the UK.

tossy

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

A lot of sighs of relief in BMW Ireland HQ this morning :pac:

Tesla too

KevRossi

And Ferrari! :pac:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/ferrari-458-fires-explained

zilog_jones

tossy wrote: »

Tesla too

Teslas are generally not spontaneously combusting though - people are just pointing them out because they are unusual cars or like a bit of EV scaremongering. The last high profile Tesla fire was as the result of a high-speed collision.

Lots of ICE cars are catching fire all the time, just thankfully not so much in multi-storey car parks.

I had a problem with some slight burning smell in my '98 Fiesta some years back, then one night a few days later smoke started emanating from somewhere in the cabin. I was near home so parked up and disconnected the battery, and got it towed the next day. Turns out the fan resistor pack had burnt up and the plastic assembly had melted - but I was turning up the fan to get rid of the smoke!

tossy

zilog_jones wrote: »

Teslas are generally not spontaneously combusting though - people are just pointing them out because they are unusual cars or like a bit of EV scaremongering. The last high profile Tesla fire was as the result of a high-speed collision.

Lots of ICE cars are catching fire all the time, just thankfully not so much in multi-storey car parks.

I had a problem with some slight burning smell in my '98 Fiesta some years back, then one night a few days later smoke started emanating from somewhere in the cabin. I was near home so parked up and disconnected the battery, and got it towed the next day. Turns out the fan resistor pack had burnt up and the plastic assembly had melted - but I was turning up the fan to get rid of the smoke!

I would imagine any car on fire is unusual and worth pointing out

I had a B5 A4 that tried to set itself on fire, scary experience.

Kenny Logins

tossy wrote: »

I had a B5 A4 that tried to set itself on fire, scary experience.

Yup. My carpet under the passenger seat once caught fire (electrical f-up) while stuck in traffic in Broadstone. Drove it hastily back to the garage with the cabin full of smoke and my head out the window like Ace Ventura.

InTheShadows

My Zafira had a recall in 2016 I think it was and I didn't even realize there was a problem until I googled it after. Sold it after that as lost all confidence in it.

Toyotafanboi

I see Kearys are pulling a crazy PR stunt and offering a free loan car to anyone who has lost a car to the fire.

Tikki Wang Wang

The Zafira is such a crap car it’s now committing murder suicides.

fryup

i saw one guy selling one on donedeal with a free fire extinguisher thrown in

Dia_Anseo

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I see Kearys are pulling a crazy PR stunt and offering a free loan car to anyone who has lost a car to the fire.

It's not a PR stunt it's a successful local business with a heart and kindness! They won't get back what they put into it!

If it was such a PR stunt why isn't Lehanes Toyota or other garages jumping onboard.

Don't be so negative all the time!

GustavoFring

Dia_Anseo wrote: »

They won't get back what they put into it

Pull the other one, the sales they get out of it will more than cover the costs.

Toyotafanboi

Dia_Anseo wrote: »

It's not a PR stunt it's a successful local business with a heart and kindness! They won't get back what they put into it!

If it was such a PR stunt why isn't Lehanes Toyota or other garages jumping onboard.

Don't be so negative all the time!

I'm not being negative, but theres clearly a bit of PR or whatever involved. What an opportunity, 60+ people right next door to the dealer have all been subject to the 3rd party insurable loss of their cars. "Here, have a sit in ours, use it for a few weeks, get comfortable in it, no obligation to buy, but remember how lovely we were when that insurance cheque arrives".

Sure they could have contacted the cars owners privately or discreetly through the shopping centres point of contact for all of this and make the offer that way, they'd have a 100% chance of making contact with them all. Instead they've setup a website link Kearys.ie/Douglas-fire and put it up on Facebook. All those people (ourselves included) talking about the kind gesture.

Look, it is what it is, it's obviously a very very kind gesture and a very useful one for everybody who has lost their car, but I'm sure at the back of it all, they'd be hoping one or two of the loaners dont come back, is that not fair to say?

colm_mcm

Who will get the cars from Kearys, people who’s cars have been totaled or those that are stuck?

SEPT 23 1989

If you are having a claim made against you

Do it in style

Toyotafanboi

Lost their car, https://www.kearys.ie/about-us/douglas-fire/

screamer

Zafirea ..... flaming great cars

Dia_Anseo

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I'm not being negative, but theres clearly a bit of PR or whatever involved. What an opportunity, 60+ people right next door to the dealer have all been subject to the 3rd party insurable loss of their cars. "Here, have a sit in ours, use it for a few weeks, get comfortable in it, no obligation to buy, but remember how lovely we were when that insurance cheque arrives".

Sure they could have contacted the cars owners privately or discreetly through the shopping centres point of contact for all of this and make the offer that way, they'd have a 100% chance of making contact with them all. Instead they've setup a website link Kearys.ie/Douglas-fire and put it up on Facebook. All those people (ourselves included) talking about the kind gesture.

Look, it is what it is, it's obviously a very very kind gesture and a very useful one for everybody who has lost their car, but I'm sure at the back of it all, they'd be hoping one or two of the loaners dont come back, is that not fair to say?

Ah Christ people like you always want to piss on the goodwill of others, want to think everyone is out for themselves!

You are forgetting that people might have been driving cars worth 2k euro and won't be able to afford a car at Kearys even on finance.
Plus people may use Kearys goodwill, for instance get a free loan car until they get their insurance then go off and buy their Mazda CX5, Ford Focus Volkswagen all cars that Kearys don't sell.

If people were driving VW they won't change to Renault just because Kearys were kind to them!
Sure they might get sales out of it but they were probably going to buy a Kearys car whether or not Kearys gave them a free courtesy car or not.

loki7777

How many recalls Opel issued - I had one when Opel dealer was still in Sligo. Then few months after that another recall but dealer was gone from Sligo and closes one is an hour from Sligo now and I assume you have to leave car for a good few hours(or even a day?)?

AMKC

My brother was driving his MK11 Renault Megane a few years back when he noticed smoke from the front of the car got out to check under the bonnet and as soon as he opened the bonnet the whole thing just went up in fire. Locally it was out away from any buildings on a country road so it was just the car and what was in it that was gone. Oh by the way does saying sure the insurance will pay up. You are not guaranteed the full price of the car you had so what you get could be less than what the car you had was worth. Depends on your insurance really and what they think.

Toyotafanboi

Dia_Anseo wrote: »

Ah Christ people like you always want to piss on the goodwill of others, want to think everyone is out for themselves!

You are forgetting that people might have been driving cars worth 2k euro and won't be able to afford a car at Kearys even on finance.
Plus people may use Kearys goodwill, for instance get a free loan car until they get their insurance then go off and buy their Mazda CX5, Ford Focus Volkswagen all cars that Kearys don't sell.

If people were driving VW they won't change to Renault just because Kearys were kind to them!
Sure they might get sales out of it but they were probably going to buy a Kearys car whether or not Kearys gave them a free courtesy car or not.

People with cheap €2k cars can be swayed into using the money as a deposit for HP or PCP or whatever, Kearys have multi franchise Carstore on site selling all their older and non franchise models. They even ask you which franchise you want to borrow from ffs.

60 cars totalled, sure if 20-25 people borrow cars and Kearys sell 5 or 6 at the end of it, it'll be a well worthwhile exercise.

I think some of you, personally are being too naive. Just because the business stands to gain something doesn't take away from the helping hand that it is to those who need it.

Anyway, it's no business of mine so I'll leave it at that, I've no issue with it one way or the other, just an interesting move to see a car company make, heaven forbid we discuss it in the motors forum.

colm_mcm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Lost their car, https://www.kearys.ie/about-us/douglas-fire/

Would your insurance not be giving you a car anyway or is it more complicated than that, will they have to be removed from the building to be assessed? Is this likely to drag on for owners of burnt cars? Who claims off who? Do they all claim off the shopping centre or do they claim off the company representing the car that went on fire first, or is it a chain?

Toyotafanboi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would your insurance not be giving you a car anyway or is it more complicated than that, will they have to be removed from the building to be assessed? Is this likely to drag on for owners of burnt cars? Who claims off who? Do they all claim off the shopping centre or do they claim off the company representing the car that went on fire first, or is it a chain?

The reality is nobody is getting anything until liability is established with whoevers insurance company. I would assume the shopping centre had "cars parked at owners risk" type signs, for what they're worth.

I'd expect everything will go back through the insurance company of the car that started the fire, which will be a saucey one for them and will ruin insurance for Zafira owners everywhere, provided the Zafira either wasnt due or has had the recall work done. If it has the recall outstanding then all bets are off.

One thing is for sure though, this will take months for the car owners, who will have nothing in the mean time. You're talking 2-3 weeks on average to agree liability and costs on your run of the mill bumper scuff then another 4-8 weeks to get paid.

Dia_Anseo

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would your insurance not be giving you a car anyway or is it more complicated than that, will they have to be removed from the building to be assessed? Is this likely to drag on for owners of burnt cars? Who claims off who? Do they all claim off the shopping centre or do they claim off the company representing the car that went on fire first, or is it a chain?

As this is damage caused by fire, nobody claims off anyone.

Under insurance law flooding/fires cannot be claimed against other parties.

Everyone with a burnt out car will have to go through their own insurance for a claim.

pwurple

Pretty sure kearys have "bring your insurance details" on their offer... So not quite a free car.

colm_mcm

Dia_Anseo wrote: »

As this is damage caused by fire, nobody claims off anyone.

Under insurance law flooding/fires cannot be claimed against other parties.

Everyone with a burnt out car will have to go through their own insurance for a claim.

If you’re in a car park and the car beside you goes on fire - taking yours with it, you claim off your own insurance and not the other cars?

Obviously in this case it’d be hard to prove which cars went up in which order, but if there were just two cars involved

Dia_Anseo

pwurple wrote: »

Pretty sure kearys have "bring your insurance details" on their offer... So not quite a free car.

Actually just listened to a RedFM podcast today and Brendan Keary said if they can't transfer their own insurance we can sort something else out, i.e temporarily put them on garage insurance.

He also stressed they were not under no obligation to buy, they just don't want people put out especially with school runs etc.

Dia_Anseo

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you’re in a car park and the car beside you goes on fire - taking yours with it, you claim off your own insurance and not the other cars?

Obviously in this case it’d be hard to prove which cars went up in which order, but if there were just two cars involved

Seemingly so according to the Insurance broker that was on the RedFM podcast.

Similar situation in a flooding, if your car was flooded due to heavy rain/overflowing river you claim off your own insurance. In similar respect, when your house is flooded you claim through your own insurance even though it's not your fault.

Morrisseeee

It'll be interesting if the Zafira has had the 3rd recall done, imagine the panic then. Where do owners of Zafiras (fire-starters) stand legally with regards to these death traps ? Can they demand their money back (at current valuation I presume) ? Could owners sue Opel for it being such a hazardous vehicle?
First re-call was in 2015, then 2016 and now 2019, and who's to say it's 100% fixed at that!
Offending culprit >

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^

and whats that yoke?

colm_mcm

fryup wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^

and whats that yoke?

It’s a German.

FishOnABike

fryup wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^

and whats that yoke?

Heater resistor pack. Controls the heater fan speed (through various resistors selected by the fan speed switch).