I used to work at a large American automaker's proving ground that had all sorts of experimental activity going on - so there was a higher possibility of engine fires there than in the outside world.

We were carefully instructed that in the event of an engine fire the FIRST thing we were to do before exiting the vehicle was to pull the hood release. The second thing we were to do was to get away from the vehicle and call the emergency phone number. We were NEVER to attempt to open the hood.

They told us that the heat of a fire could quickly heat up the hood release cable clamps making it almost impossible to open the hood without massive damage to the vehicle.

Let the firefighters pop the secondary hood release, open the hood, and pressure wash the engine - or what's left of the engine.