CAR FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 I DROVE 10 MINUTES FROM HOME. I WAS PARKED IN A LOT FOR 5 MINUTES. CAME OUT OF STORE, STARTED ENGINE AND HEAVY SMOKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED FILLING THE INTERIOR AND BILLOWING UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY GOT OUT. OPENED THE HOOD. SAW FLAMES DEEP DOWN, JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK. HEAVY WHITE/GRAY SMOKE. CALLED 911, WHO RESPONDED QUICKLY (DANBURY CT FIRE DEPT.) THE OWNER OF THE STORE I HAD BEEN IN, CAME OUT AND WITNESSED FIRE/SMOKE. FIRE SUBSIDED AND FIRE DEPT CHECKED FOR HOT SPOTS, AUTHORIZED FOR TOWING BY AAA TO DEALER. MY MINI HAD BEEN IN THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. APRIL 12, HAVING MAINTENANCE DONE... LESS THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THIS FIRE HAPPENED. (WORK DONE INCLUDED NEW FAN BELT, OIL CHANGE, FILTER, BRAKES, 2 FRONT TIRES...) I PICKED MY CAR UP ON FRIDAY, APR. 13, AND DROVE HOME. AFTER 2 SHORT ERRANDS ON SUNDAY, THE FIRE BROKE OUT. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER BEING FIXED BY MINI. MINI USA HAS AUTHORIZED THE WORK. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT DAMAGE THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSED TO SURROUNDING PARTS UNDER THE HOOD. SO MANY SENSORS AND CIRCUIT BOARDS/ELECTRICAL PARTS... SERVICE MGR SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY A "HOT WIRE." COULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN? I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AGAIN. I HAVE THE DANBURY FIRE DEPT. RECORD IN AN EMAIL, AND PHOTOS OF MY CAR BEING TOWED. THE DEALER HAS THE INSPECTION REPORT OF DAMAGE. FIRE HAPPENED JUST HOURS AFTER CAR HAD BEEN WORKED ON. COINCIDENCE? THEY SAY SO