We Lost Our House To LA Fires, But My Toyota Tacoma Was Only Scorched and Fired Right Up After I Tried To Start It

After losing his home to the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles area, one man's scorched Toyota Tacoma miraculously started proving its legendary toughness and leaving everyone in awe.

While scrolling through Reddit today, I stumbled across a compelling and emotional story shared by a user named Jagr Joens, whose resilience and admiration for his Toyota Tacoma shone through in the face of unimaginable loss. Jagr’s post, titled "Eaton fire couldn't kill my Toyota Tacoma," chronicles his experience with the recent Eaton Fire, which devastated his home and belongings but left his trusty 2013 Tacoma remarkably unscathed.

Jagr wrote, “On Thursday we confirmed that we lost our house and everything in it to the Eaton Fire. But our Toyota Tacoma was only scorched. The keys burned in the fire but Envision Toyota of West Covina made me a new key from the VIN (at no charge). Yesterday I tried to start it and it fired right up. Everything works, even the headlights and blinkers! I have owned Tacomas for over 20 years and have always been happy with their versatility, reliability, and serviceability.”

Jones also share a video of his 2013 Tacoma on Youtube.

It’s a testament not only to the durability of the Toyota Tacoma but also to the strong sense of community and care that some dealerships bring to the table. Envision Toyota of West Covina stepping up to provide Jagr a replacement key free of charge speaks volumes about the kind of support that matters most during difficult times.

The story quickly sparked a lively discussion among Reddit users. One commenter, Macarius, drew parallels to another remarkable tale of Toyota’s resilience: “I remember the story of a nurse who used his Tundra for evacuating patients in a different California wildfire summer of 2018. The thing kept on running but got scorched up pretty badly too. The story ended up in the local news, and when it eventually made it back to Toyota corporate, they gave him a brand-new TRD Pro for free.” 

Stories like these continue to solidify the Toyota Tacoma’s and Tundra’s reputations as go-to vehicles for reliability and durability, even in the most extreme conditions. If you’re considering owning a Tacoma yourself, you might find the story “Never Owning a Truck, I’ve Placed an Order for a 2024 Toyota Tacoma - My Excitement Turned to Nervousness After,” offering a unique perspective on what it’s like to dive into the Tacoma world for the first time.

Whether it's surviving wildfires or conquering harsh winter weather, as proven in this winter snowstorm test of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, these trucks are built to thrive when the going gets tough.

Let me know if you’d like me to apply this update!

While I’m relieved that Jagr and his family are safe, I’m deeply sorry about the loss of their home.

On a more practical note, I’ve never had a vehicle burn in a fire, but I’d urge caution before driving it extensively. Checking the wiring and overall integrity of his Tacoma truck is critical. The last thing anyone wants is for it to catch fire again, especially on the highway or, worse, at a gas station.

Thankfully, Jagr has already planned to have professionals inspect the truck. He noted, “The radiator and everything after it looks solid, all lights work, including headlights, blinkers, etc. I am going to have the tires replaced too... don’t trust them after the heat.” That’s an excellent call, as heat-damaged tires can be unpredictable and unsafe.

Jagr also posted additional images on Imgur. Here is one of them.

This story is a powerful reminder of the impressive engineering and reliability that Toyota Tacoma trucks, especially older models, are known for. As Toyota continues to innovate with the next-generation Tacoma, debates like V6 vs. turbo engines spark passionate discussions among fans, and you can read more about it here.

Toyota Tacoma's ability to withstand harsh conditions and still perform is nothing short of remarkable. To Jagr and others facing similar challenges, our hearts go out to you, and we’re glad you’re safe.

What about you, readers? Have you ever had a vehicle , survive extreme circumstances like a wildfire or flood? Or do you own a Toyota Tacoma or Tundra with an incredible story of resilience? Share your experiences in the comments below, please, as we’d love to hear them.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.