The 1981 Indianapolis 500 race became notable for an incident involving methanol, which burns with an invisible flame. During the race, a collision caused a fire that was not immediately visible. Methanol burns with a clear flame that isn’t easily seen in daylight, which makes the fire challenging to detect initially. Several race cars and a safety vehicle were involved in the incident, but , the response was quick once the fire was realized. | History In Pictures

7K views · 131 reactions | Methanol flames are almost invisible in...

The nearly invisible methanol fire at the 1981 Indy 500 became one of the race’s most unforgettable safety incidents. When Rick Mears’ car erupted in flames during a pit stop, the clear methanol burned without visible smoke or color, leaving crews briefly unaware of the danger surrounding him. Only the heat shimmer and Mears’ frantic movements alerted the team to the burning fuel. Track workers quickly sprayed water—one of the few ways to make methanol flames visible—and extinguished the fire. T

7.3K views · 55 reactions | The Federal Government launches a new online safety hub to help raise awareness of the dangers of methanol poisoning following the deaths of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones. WATCH SUNRISE FOR MORE | @7plus ☀️ | Sunrise | Facebook