TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNED A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, A GRAYISH SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. HIS GIRLFRIEND THEN IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH HER SON AS THE SMOKE QUICKLY TURNED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. AS A RESULT, THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED; NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *LN *JB