MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF GEORGIO'S RESTAURANT AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REMAINED LOCALIZED THERE. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FLAMED UP, BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE HOOD, AND DAMAGED EVERYTHING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLES FIREWALL. FLAME WAS CONTAINED AND EXTINGUISHED USING INDUSTRIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AVAILABLE AT THE RESTAURANT GEORGIO'S WHERE MY WIFE, DAUGHTER, AND I WERE MEETING MY PARENTS FOR DINNER. THE VEHICLE HAS A GOOD SERVICE RECORD AND HAS BEEN SERVICE AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER A FEW TIMES, SO THIS WAS A HUGE SURPRISE. I AM FAIRLY CONFIDENT THE VEHICLE WILL BE DECLARED "TOTALED" BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER GEICO. MY WIFE AND I DEPEND ON HAVING A SECOND VEHICLE BECAUSE I DRIVE OUR OTHER VEHICLE 60 MINUTES AWAY EVERY DAY FOR WORK. SINCE SHE SPENDS HER TIME RAISING OUR DAUGHTER, I AM THE SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME, BUT WE'RE UNSURE THAT INCOME CAN ACCOMMODATE A CAR PAYMENT (BOTH OF OUR VEHICLES ARE PAID FOR). *NM