LAST EVENING MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2008 DODGE NITRO TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO HER HIGH SCHOOL (5 MILES FROM OUR HOME). AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AND STARTING BACK HOME THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHILE STILL MOVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. I QUICKLY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND GOT OUT. VERY QUICKLY THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. ALL SERVICE FOR THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN ANY KIND OF CRASH NOR DID IT HAVE ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL WORK PERFORMED ON IT PRIOR TO IT BURSTING INTO FLAMES. I BELIEVE THE HIGH SCHOOL MAY HAVE VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT AS THE PARKING LOT IS MONITORED VIA CCTV CAMERAS. *TR