Hello all!

Driving home on the highway, i saw an old VW Beetle on the side of the rode engulffed in flames - No other cars involved, it seems that it simply caught alight and the driver steered to the side of the rode to let it burn out.

There were several bystanders pulled over to try assist/get in the way. emergency services had not yet arrived as it was on the highway between 2 small towns many miles away.

These bystanders had parked their cars (if i take an educated guess) 5 meters from the burning beetle.

My Questions:
What is the possibility and probability of cars exploding once on fire (fuel tank?), and what is a safe distance away from vehicle (ie. to administer first aid to casulties). Emergency services would take a LONG time to reach this specific car...