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Pickup truck survives California fire and reinforces Toyota's durability. The automaker's pickup truck suffered only cosmetic damage despite high temperatures. Learn the story of the 2013 Toyota pickup truck that started right away even after a fire.
Amid the devastation caused by the Eaton, California, wildfires, a story of resilience has caught the eye and brought a rare moment of relief to a family who lost everything. Not only did a 2013 Toyota pickup truck survive the blaze that completely consumed their home and neighborhood, it also managed to start and run perfectly on the first try. In this article, we’ll detail the story of how the pickup truck survived the fire.
Toyota pickup truck suffered only cosmetic damage
The 2013 Toyota pickup truck incident was recorded on video by Brandon Sanders, owner of the truck, and published on YouTube. In the images, it is possible to see the rubble of what used to be his residence. In the video, when Sanders gets into the Toyota pickup, he turns the key and the engine starts immediately, without hesitation and without irregularities in operation, even in an environment full of dust and polluted air.
According to Sanders, the pickup truck survived the fire and the damage was completely cosmetic. The front grille and bumper cover of the 2013 Toyota pickup truck melted, as did the side moldings and one of the taillights. The paint on the hood and driver's side was burned off, giving the truck a look that resembles a perfectly toasted marshmallow.
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Models from the Japanese brand, especially those produced in the 2010s, have gained worldwide fame for their exceptional durability. Episodes such as the attempt by the Top Gear program to destroy a Toyota Hilux only reinforce the legend. In Sanders' case, the pickup truck survives a fire, not a TV test, surviving in an almost inexplicable way, even with houses around it completely destroyed.
Understand the plans of the owner of the Toyota pickup truck
All of the vehicle's electrical systems and hoses withstood the intense heat, allowing the engine to run normally. For Sanders, this is another chapter in his story with Toyota's pickup truck. His first model, from 1998, It reached an impressive 317 kilometers before being sold in 2019.
Regarding the future of the truck, he said that the plan before the fire was to keep it forever, and that hasn't changed. He won't repair the damage to it immediately because he needs it to work and transport his family, but he will consider fixing the cosmetic part when the situation stabilizes.
The pickup truck survives the fire, but the original keys do not. Therefore, the dealership Envision Toyota, of West Covina, was keen to help. Using the vehicle identification number, they produced a new key for free after seeing the condition of the truck.
Other similar cases with Toyota cars
The brand could use this story of the pickup truck surviving a fire as a definitive example of the durability of its products. Similar cases have already earned support from the automaker in the past, such as when the Tundra used in rescue missions during the 2018 California wildfires was replaced by a new model.
The 2013 Tacoma pickup truck certainly deserves the same recognition, as not even the most expensive commercial could convey the same strength and reliability as this short amateur video.
It is worth mentioning that thousands of firefighters continue to fight different fires in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, California, while strong wind conditions increase for the region in the coming hours.
Forecasters expected winds to increase from Tuesday night (14) through Wednesday (15). Los Angeles reported active wildfires on Wednesday, the death toll rose to 25 and more than 20 people are missing.
