Month: October 2025

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain vehicles.

October 2025

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

NHTSA ID Number: 25V685000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected: 59006

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed October 24, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Hoarding & Fire: Hidden Dangers for Fire Investigators

Hoarding & Fire: Hidden Dangers for Fire Investigators

By Kelly Johnson, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI, CFII, Senior Fire Investigator

Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company, and ServiceMaster Restore hosted a Live Burn event a few weeks ago where three pods were set up to replicate various fire scenarios.  The first pod represented a normal residence, which took more than twenty minutes to become fully engulfed in flames and reach flashover. The second pod represented the residence of a hoarder, with intense clutter present. That pod took less than three minutes to become fully engulfed in flames (see video). The final pod represented a residential utility room and bathroom and reached flashover conditions in approximately three minutes. (Note, these demonstrations were overseen and extinguished by the local fire department. Thank you to the Cedar Hill Fire Department and Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Reggie Alexander!)

When we think of fire hazards, we often picture faulty wiring, unattended stoves, or nearby flammable materials.  But a commonly overlooked and dangerous contributor to fire risk is hoarding – a compulsive disorder that transforms homes into labyrinths of clutter, posing serious challenges for firefighters and investigators alike.

What Is Hoarding?

Hoarding is a psychological disorder often triggered by trauma.  Individuals suffering from it compulsively collect items – often seemingly random possessions – until their living space becomes “cluttered.”  To the outside world, the home may appear normal.  Inside, however, it can be a maze of debris, blocked exits, and combustible materials.

Why Clutter Is a Fire Hazard

For fire investigators and other first responders, cluttered environments present a unique set of challenges:

  • Navigation: Moving through piles of debris in full gear is exhausting and dangerous.
  • Fire Suppression: Identifying the seat of the fire seems almost impossible when it is buried under thousands of pounds of material.
  • Scene Reconstruction: Investigators must sift through moldy items, broken glass, and often, even biological hazards to determine the cause.

In one case study, several thousand pounds of debris had to be removed from a garage before investigators could identify the ignition source – an overloaded extension cord powering multiple appliances.

Compassion is Key

It is important to remember that what looks like junk to us may be deeply meaningful to the occupant. Investigators must approach these situations with empathy, understanding that the removal of items can feel like a personal loss to someone with hoarding disorder.

Structural & Health Risks

Hoarded homes often suffer from:

  • Blocked windows, entrances and exits, limiting escape routes.
  • Structural damage due to the weight of accumulated items.
  • Biological hazards like mold, rodents, and human waste.
  • Increased fuel load, which could accelerate fire spread and intensity.

How to Protect Yourself as a Fire Investigator

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in these environments. Recommended gear includes:

  • Tyvek suits
  • Respirators or dust masks
  • Steel-toed, steel-shank boots
  • Gloves and protective eyewear

Each scene should be evaluated individually to determine the appropriate level of protection.

Real-World Examples

In another case, investigators found debris piled four-to-five feet deep throughout the home.  Extension cords snaked through the clutter, powering space heaters and drop lamps. The cause of the fire was never definitively identified, but potential sources included a space heater too close to combustibles, a gas-fired stove that was on, or a malfunctioning electrical cord.

The Risks of Hoarding

Hoarding is not just a mental health issue – it is a public safety concern.  Fire investigators and first responders must be trained to recognize the signs, protect themselves, and approach each scene with both caution and compassion.

If you are in the fire service or investigative field, understanding the risks associated with hoarding can save lives – yours included.

Answers You Need: Haag’s Fire Investigation Team

With over a century of experience and a strong track record in forensic analysis, Haag, A Salas O’Brien Company, is a trusted partner for fire origin and cause investigations. Our technical reports are often delivered within five business days for non-legal residential and auto claims. From evidence collection and burn testing to expert testimony, Haag offers end-to-end support for your file. When precision, reliability, and expertise are critical, trust Haag Fire Origin & Cause Investigations to find the answers.

For more information on Haag’s fire services, contact us here or submit a fire assignment here.

Kelly Johnson, IAAI-CFI, NAFI-CFEI, CVFI, CFII

With an associate’s degree in law enforcement and a bachelor’s degree studying criminal justice, Kelly Johnson, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI, CFII, has developed a solid foundation of excellence as a subject matter expert in forensic fire investigations.

Mr. Johnson has personally investigated or supervised over 2,750 origin and cause investigations, including fires and explosions involving multiple fatalities, as well as complex subrogation issues involving multi-million-dollar losses. His investigations have included first party insurance losses, third party defense work, plaintiff’s work, consumer product liability cases, contractor liability, file review, and public safety cases. Investigations have included losses to residences, vehicles, heavy equipment, commercial/industrial structures, marine equipment, and wild land fires. Learn More.

Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company or subsidiaries.