Priceless 1930’s Lagonda Saved From Fire

5-minute read | Sectors: Classic Cars, Auto, Vintage Cars, Rallying

A third-generation owner of a 1934 Lagonda, a car with just under 500,000 miles on the clock, experienced a petrol fire following a carburettor failure while driving. This is no ordinary classic. The Lagonda has lived a remarkable life, including competing in the 1934, 1935 and 1936 Monte Carlo Rallies, and remains a deeply personal piece of family history.

The Fire

During the incident, the fire developed in the engine bay and quickly spread into the chassis rail, an area with extremely limited access. It had taken hold within a narrow gap of around three inches, making it almost impossible to reach using a traditional fire extinguisher, which typically requires a clear line of sight.

Acting quickly, the owner first switched off the fuel pump to remove the source of the fire. He then used a Fire Safety Stick, using its compact size to direct the vapour into the confined space. This allowed him to reach the seat of the fire in an area that would have been inaccessible with conventional equipment. The fire was successfully extinguished with minimal damage.

After the Fire

In the aftermath, only minor paintwork was required, along with a small wiring repair using insulation tape. Crucially, there was no lasting wiring failure, and the car remains fully operational.

Reflecting on the incident, the owner highlighted how impressed he was with the compact size of the device and its ability to reach into such a restricted space. In a situation where seconds matter, that accessibility made all the difference.

For a vehicle that has covered nearly half a million miles, competed in historic rallies, and remained in the same family for generations, the outcome was more than just a successful extinguishment, it was the preservation of something truly irreplaceable.

The Owner: James Mann

James, the owner, who also runs other vehicles, including a 1950s MGA, now carries Fire Safety Sticks across multiple vehicles, including his work van, and takes additional units for competition and long-distance touring.

This case highlights a key advantage of the Fire Safety Stick: its ability to tackle early-stage fires in confined or hard-to-reach areas, where traditional extinguishers may struggle, and where the cost of failure is far more than just financial.

Thank you to James Mann for sharing his story about how the Fire Safety Stick saved his family’s most precious car, a car steeped in heritage for over three generations.

All images were kindly provided by James