2000 FORD EXPEDITION — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

I WAS TAKING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL FOR A FIELD TRIP. WE WERE IN THE PARKING LOT FOR APPROX. 20 MIN WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THEN OUT OF NOWHERE A BIG GUSH OF GRAY/BLACK SMOKE APPEARED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT MYSELF AND CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO CALL 911. AT THIS TIME THE 2 BUS DRIVERS CAME AND ASK ME TO POP MY HOOD ASSUMING IT WAS MY CAR RUNNING HOT WHEN THEY LIFTED THE HOOD THERE WAS FLAMES. THEY GOT A FIRE EXT. AND PUT IT OUT. I PROCEEDED TO FIND A WAY TO GET HOME AND GET MY OTHER CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I THEN CALLED MY MECHANIC AND ASKED HIM TO MEET ME AT MY TRUCK. HE INSPECTED IT AND DETERMINED THE SW ASY AND BRAKE FLUID LINES HAD BURNED AND MELTED . HE TALKED TO A COUPLE OF HIS FRIENDS WHOM OWN JUNKYARDS AND THEY TOLD HIM IN THE LAST YEAR THEY HAVE HAD 10 OR SO EXPEDITIONS COME IN BURNED FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAN. DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. ANY HELP OR COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT WORSE THAN WHAT IT DID IF I DIDN'T HAVE BUS DRIVERS THERE TO HELP. *JB