2 stories. I was in the motor pool as a young private in the Army. The batteries (4 12 volts) were located under the passenger seat.
Truck wouldn't start. As I leaned over the batteries standing on the running board, the driver hit the starter button while I was wiggling the cable terminals. The resulting explosion blew me off the running board and against an APC parked next to it knocking me out.
The people around has enough presence of mind to throw water over my face.
I spent six weeks in an army hospital with my eyes bandaged and face burned.
It wasn't fun where somebody fed you either. I got the " your meat is at three o'clock on the plate and mashed potatoes at six o'clock." **** near killed myself with that spoon!
2. In Germany, me and two "Big" buddies went backroading through the German forests. Beer was involved. A lot of it I must confess. In a 1965 Volkswagen bug. In which said vehicle, the battery is located under the rear seat upon which the two Big friends are riding. However, when Ferninand Porsche invented the bug, He used metal springs as cushion in the seat with a somewhat flammable stuffing for padding. With the bouncing and big butts on said seat going through the countryside at a late hour somewhat intoxicated a smell of smoke came from the back seat area.
Then "abandon Ship" was announced as fire licked through the seat bottom.
Have you ever seen two drunk big ol boys trying to evacuate a Volkswagen bug from the rear seat at a high rate of speed?
It is a sight to behold I must say.
All was well. Burnt seat bottom, spilt beer and both wanted to ride in front after that on the way home.
