‘It’s Bad:’ Los Angeles Woman Heads to Her Mercedes Benz In Parking Lot. Then Firefighters Stop Her

'I had all my work supplies inside...'

Photo by: @alenitita & Cédric Streit

By: Nina Hernandez

Jul 13, 2025 at 9:00pm ET

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A Los Angeles woman found a distressing sight when she returned to her Mercedes: A group of firefighters had just finished putting out the flames.

TikTok user Alena Slapak (@alenitita) posted a video about her charred vehicle on July 6. In the video, she’s standing beside the remains of her Mercedes. The back end is badly burnt, so much so that the tail lights are partially melted.

Slapak explains, “I was on my way to work today. I was on the way to the car, and then I saw the firefighters. I was like, ‘What’s going on? Why are the firefighters out?’”

Slapak says the firefighters approached and asked her if she was returning to her vehicle, and if so, which one.

She told them that she drove a Mercedes parked around the corner, and they visibly recoiled. “It's bad,” they said. “But it's still drivable.”

So Slapak went to check out the damage. “And then, um. I went to my car and this is what it looked like. It's completely burned,” she says, adding, “I had all my work supplies inside.”

Slapak said she was headed to work at a local flea market. “I'm out of work now,” she says. “I don't know how to fix this car.”

"If you guys know what I should do with half my car burnt, the gas tank burnt, let me know," she says. "It's still driving, but it's completely scorched."

In the caption, she writes, "Literally heartbroken right now. I worked so hard for this car and to be able to work and a freak accident like this happens and completely messes up my life."

Safe to Drive?

In the comments, some viewers objected to the firefighters’ characterization of her car as drivable.

"I'm no expert. But that is not driveable," wrote one person.

A second user agreed, “The gas tank being burned is scary. Definitely get it checked out before driving it."

A third person suggested, "Take your stuff out, clean it off, call insurance, file a claim, and take the car to the repair shop. Check your policy to see if it covers a rental car."

What Should You Do in the Event Of a Car Fire?

According to State Farm Insurance, most vehicle fires are the result of faulty electrical wiring, fuel system issues, and unattended cigarettes. It could also be caused by a blown fuse, spilled oil or another fluid, a missing oil cap, or an overheating engine. Of course, arson is also a possible cause.

As many commenters suggested, State Farm also recommends reaching out to your insurance agent as soon as the fire is out and you're safe.

Consult with firefighters to find out when it's safe to remove your personal items from the vehicle. Once that’s done, you can have your insurance company tow the vehicle to an automotive shop for an inspection.

Depending on the value of your car and the extent of the damage, if the damage is covered, your insurance company will decide to either fix the vehicle or label it a total loss.

Slapak posted a follow-up explaining what happened. She says that a homeless encampment burned, which scorched her car. She also says that her insurance isn’t going to cover the repairs.

Slapak has launched a fundraiser to help get her car fixed.

“I own a small business where I sell handmade bikinis and vintage clothes at the Silverlake Flea in Echo Park,” she writes on GoFundMe. “It’s just me doing everything—designing, sourcing, doing deliveries, setting up my booth, and getting myself to and from the market every weekend.”

What do you think?

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“A mechanic told me it would cost more to fix than to get a new car,” Slapak adds. “But this is my only car. It’s how I get to work. And without it, I can’t work or earn any income.”

Motor1 reached out to Slapak via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We'll update this if she responds.