THE 2000 MAZDA MPV LX WITH 51,300 MILES SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE ,AND THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS INCINERATED ON MAY 11, 2007. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES BACK TO MY HOUSE, WHEN I WENT INSIDE TO GET A DRINK OF WATER AND CAME BACK OUT THERE WAS A BURNING, VISCOUS SUBSTANCE DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE QUICKLY BURST INTO FLAMES, SENDING BILLOWS OF SMOKE TOWARD THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES, BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE DRIVEWAY SCORCHED, AND GARAGE DOOR DAMAGED. I PRESUMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SO I FELT VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. ALSO, IF I HADN'T PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE THE FLAMES SURELY WOULD HAVE SET FIRE TO THE HOUSE. *AK