At approximately 11:45 pm on 03 Feb 2006 we drove our 1995 Ford E150 club wagon on a local errand amounting to 6-8 city blocks. Prior to this errand the vehicle had been sitting "cold" in our carport for many hours. Upon our return from the errand (20 minutes), at approx. 12:05 am on 04 Feb 2006, we parked the vehicle in our carport and prior to turning off the ignition, smoke appeared from beneath the hood and began to fill the passenger compartment. After exiting the vehicle, we noted flames beneath the engine compartment. A small chemical fire extinguisher was applied, but did not stifle the fire. The van was a total loss to the fire, and "major" property damage was sustained by a neighbor's vehicle parked to our immediate left and the carport structure itself (wood and corrugated steel). Another vehicle also sustained "minor" damage. Police and fire dept. Reports have been filed. The cause from these official sources is "undetermined". our research has shown that there are current issues with Ford vehicle fires that may be related to the cruise control deactivation switch. 1995 econoline is a model containing this (or a similar) switch.

- Foster City, CA, USA