Tailgating Causes 7 Cars To Catch Fire At Jets Game

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — As if the Jets taking a beating from the Minnesota Vikings Sunday wasn't bad enough.

As many as seven cars caught fire while parked in the parking lot at MetLife stadium yesterday; these photos from the scene were taken by the Meadowlands Fire Department, which extinguished the blaze.

There were very high winds Sunday in the Meadowlands and throughout northern New Jersey. The Meadowlands Fire Dept. first reported it was six cars that ignited, but State Police said it was actually seven.

The fire started from hot coals that were discarded, NJ State Trooper Sgt. Jeff Flynn told Patch. There were actually two separate incidents of cars catching fire in the parking lot Sunday and both broke out at about 2 p.m.: In the first instance, someone discarded still-burning coals and the high winds swept them onto a car, igniting it.

"There actually are coal bins at MetLife stadium just for this purpose; you are supposed to put your hot coals in those bins," Sgt. Flynn said. "However, yesterday people left the coals just discarded in the parking lot."

In the second instance, a driver unknowingly parked over hot coals, and the car ignited. That fire then spread to at least five other cars parked nearby, State Police said.

Photos taken by the Meadowlands Fire Department.

Photos: Meadowlands Fire Department