AT LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD "POP" SOUND, WHICH WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FILLING THE INTERIOR VIA THE AIR VENTS. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND THE HOOD OPENED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE WITH FLAMES BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND FIRE WALL. UPON PUTTING THE FIRE OUT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT OF THE CAR ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN MELTING THE ENGINE WIRING AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SPRAYED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE TOP OF THE FENDER HAD BLACK SOOT FROM THE FIRE. THE HOOD PAD AND FIRE WALL INSULATION SHOWED LARGE AMOUNTS OF FIRE DAMAGE. *TR