Fire officials have issued a warning to residents to be cautious when parking near leaves after a car became fully engulfed in flames in Mundelein Monday evening.
The Mundelein Fire Department responded Monday evening to a report of a vehicle fire.
Crews arrived to find the vehicle fully involved in flames. Leaves surrounding the vehicle were also on fire.
The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters and no occupants were injured, fire officials said.
The fire likely began due to the catalytic converter and exhaust system igniting the leaves under the vehicle.
Catalytic converters typically work at temperatures between 750 and 1,150 degrees, fire officials said.
Most residential streets have leaves stored curbside for annual leaf collection this time of year.
“The potential for situations such as this to occur are prevalent,” fire officials said.
Residents are asked to avoid raking or blowing leaves into the street for leaf collection.
Residents should rake or blow leaves only to the edge of their yard and not extend past the curb into the roadway.
Drivers are asked to be aware of their surroundings when parking vehicles in the street, especially after dark.
“Be sure to avoid parking over any standing piles of leaves and maintain a safe distance,” the fire department said.