I can't tell you what caused the fire. The best conclusion is that it was either a faulty wiring harness as a cub cadet dealer has suggested or perhaps just too much heat from the exhaust and engine underneath a plastic hood. (they have since remodeled this area on their newer tractors) But even without finding out a reason for the fire first, Cub Cadet immediately came back with a reply of fires are not covered, submit to your homeowners policy. That is unacceptable. I'm just tying to find other people in my situation ( which I have found already).