2000 Ford Explorer engine problems

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed.

Over the past three to four months my 2000 ford explorer (6 cylinder w/ sohc engine) has developed a problem with the engine. The problem occurs on an intermittent basis. At times the engine will not start. When it does start it will not idle and dies unless the rpm's are manually held at a high enough level to allow the engine to run. When braking at any speed the engine will die when the automatic transmission shifts from a higher gear to a lower gear allowing the rpm's to fall between shifts.