There are many potential causes of electrical fires in automobiles, but the most common is a short circuit. This occurs when two electrical wires come into contact, creating a "loop" that allows current to flow freely. The resulting sparks can quickly ignite any flammable materials nearby, causing a fire to erupt. Another common cause of electrical fires is faulty wiring. Over time, exposure to heat and vibrations can cause wires to become brittle and break. When this happens, the current can "leak" out of the wire and come into contact with other parts of the vehicle, igniting a fire.