I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING AND THEN STALLED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER FOR THE STEERING OR BRAKES. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THOUGHT I OVERHEATED THE ENGINE UNTIL I COULD SMELL THE SMOKE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I LEFT THE VAN AND GOT ABOUT 50 YARDS BEFORE CALLING THE POLICE. BY THE TIME THE EMERGENCY CREWS ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ESTIMATED THE DAMAGE AT $13000 BUT PAID SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT TO WRITE OFF THE VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM STILL WITHOUT EXPLANATION ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD RECENTLY SINCE I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER MERCURY VILLAGER OWNERS.*AK