Each year, vehicle fires cause hundreds of deaths and over $1 billion in property damage across the United States. According to a new report by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), about 194,000 vehicle fires happen yearly—that’s about 530 every day. In fact, vehicle fires are responsible for 1 out of every 7 fires responded to by departments across the country.

Passenger cars experience the most vehicle fires, reported at 86 percent. Vehicle fires tend to occur in the afternoon and evenings. And frequency increases in the summer months.

The leading cause? According to the report, the leading cause of vehicle fires is “unintentional” at 32 percent. The leading factor in these types of fires is mechanical failure, at 44 percent. Unfortunately the cause of nearly a quarter of all fires isn’t able to be determined even after investigation.

About 7 percent of vehicle fires are intentionally ignited, according to the report.

The comprehensive USFA report includes passenger and freight transport vehicles as well as agricultural and construction vehicles. It does not include fire department responses to highway accidents—only to vehicle fires.

If you’re involved with a vehicle fire, pull over immediately and shut off your ignition, then get out of and away from the vehicle. Do not try to retrieve items from your vehicle, and never try to extinguish the fire yourself. Call emergency personnel who are trained to handle vehicle fires—by calling 911, for example—as soon as you are a safe distance away.

If one of your vehicles is damaged in a fire, contact your Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance agent right away to get valuable information and support, and to process a claim.