DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DROVE 5 MINUTES AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE, AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. THE POLICE WERE ALSO ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE BATTERY OR THE FUSE PANEL. ALSO, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE BATTERY OR FUSE PANEL . NO AFTERMARKET ELECTRONICS WERE INSTALLED AND THERE WAS NO RECENT WORK PRIOR TO THE FIRE. UPDATED 01/24/07. 8JB