CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT BEGUN SPUTTERING AND SHAKING AS I ACCELERATED. I DROVE BACK HOME, ABOUT 5 MINUTES, AND OPENED THE HOOD. CAR WAS ON AND PARKED FOR THE VISUAL INSPECTION. MY PARTNER PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO SEE IF I COULD SEE WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR SHOOK WHEN IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE. IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING NEAR THE FUEL LINES STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE. IT LOOKED LIKE ALUMINUM FOIL. THE CAR HAD A HALF TANK OF GAS AND GAUGES SEEMED NORMAL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET MY TOOLS. WHEN I CAME OUT, THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES COMING FROM THE MOTOR. 9-1-1 WAS CALLED AND FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT THE FIRE IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY AND THE CAR WAS DESTROYED WHEN THE FIRE WAS FINALLY EXTINGUISHED. *TR