[Geezer (OP)]

This gent didn't seem to think so, but, apparently, if you rub a BMW and ice together hard enough, you might just do it.

[CliffordK]

?


The BMW appears to be a Rear Wheel Drive.

Yet, the first signs of flames I see are from the front of the car.  And, in another clip, it says the driver noticed that his car was overheating.

I don't think it was the snow that caught fire, but the actions of the driver.  Was he red-lining it?  Frozen hoses?

This was from Atlanta Georgia.  Do they even know what the white stuff that falls from the sky is?

[Geezer (OP)]

All BMW's are rear wheel drive, although some are all-wheel drive (unless you count the Mini as a BMW)

I think you are right. The ice was the indirect cause of the fire. I'm pretty sure it was not caused by the tires catching fire.

About five seconds into the video an ominous puff of smoke comes out from under the car. BMW's use independent rear suspension with CV joints between the diff and the wheels. I'm wondering if one of the joints failed and the debris ruptured a fuel line, or the tank. Or maybe a seal failed on the diff and it dumped oil onto the hot exhaust system.

The guy was probably in Drive, in which case, if only one of the wheels was spinning, that wheel could easily have been rotating at the equivalent of well over 200 mph because of the multiplication effect of the diff. The car was over ten years old too, so everything may not have been in tip-top condition.

[RD]

http://primitiveways.com/fire_from_ice.html

http://primitiveways.com/icelens.MOV

(Quicktime alternative here if you want to avoid Apple adverts using your computer resources).

[yor_on]

You might be able to use water too
I've seen it used as a magnifier and I think it might work.
Take a leaf, push a hole in it then add a drop of water that you let run into the hole. it will 'stick' if the hole is the right diameter, and then see if you can make it work At least it will magnify objects, possibly ignite them too.

Had to use push instead of *****?

[Karsten]

How to make fire from ice:

[nandini]

 don't think it was the snow that caught fire, but the actions of the driver.  Was he red-lining it?  Frozen hoses?
sandhya

[peppercorn]

I don't think it was the snow that caught fire, but the actions of the driver.  Was he red-lining it?  Frozen hoses?

don't think it was the snow that caught fire, but the actions of the driver.  Was he red-lining it?  Frozen hoses?

Am I seeing double?

[Don_1]

Hmmm, I cy

What a fuss over setting things alight, when all you need is this . A damned sight easier than shaping a piece of ice, not to mention they won't freeze your fingers in the process, and a hell of a lot cheaper than a BMW.

Looked to me like that icy fire had a little help from an accelerate from the way it burst into flames. Isn't that cheating?

[Don_1]

I don't think it was the snow that caught fire, but the actions of the driver.  Was he red-lining it?  Frozen hoses?

don't think it was the snow that caught fire, but the actions of the driver.  Was he red-lining it?  Frozen hoses?

Am I seeing double?

Nah! Plagiarism.

[imatfaal]

Looked to me like that icy fire had a little help from an accelerate from the way it burst into flames. Isn't that cheating?

A bit of further investigating - there was black powder in the mix!

[CliffordK]

I found the official fire fighting instructions for your ice fire 

Chemical Name: Water
Ingredient Percent: 100%

Fire Fighting Instructions:
Evacuate area of unprotected personnel. Use cold water spray to cool fire
exposed containers to minimize risk of rupture. Do not enter confined fire
space without full protective gear. If possible, contain fire run-off water.

Extinguishing Media:
Use alcohol resistant foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or water fog or
spray when fighting fires involving this material.
Use extinguishing measures that are appropriate to local circumstances and
the surrounding environment.

Protective Equipment:
As in any fire, wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA),
MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent) and full protective gear.

Hazardous Combustion Byproducts:
Thermal decomposition products may include smoke and toxic fumes. Oxides
of carbon, oxides of nitrogen and other organic substances may be formed.
Other undetermined low molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds may be
released in small quantities depending upon specific conditions of combustion.