WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 VW PASSAT STATION WAGON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. AS I WAS PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A BROWN BURN CIRCLE. I GOT MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES, THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN INFORMED ME THAT THEY BELIEVE IT STARTED WITH/NEAR THE BATTERY. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN ACTING UP, NOR HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEEN COMING ON IN RECENT WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE VW PASSAT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. REGULAR TUNE-UPS AND MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS SHOCKING HOW QUICKLY IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. *TR