My poor car with 250,000 miles. I have had her for about 14 years. First the slow leak with the transmission fluid; I opted to just wait it out because of the expense to replace that seal. Then, after a short trip, after I have the ignition off, I see smoke from the hood. I open the hood and see steady flames coming from the alternator on (left side as you face it). I used the fire extinguisher and it went out. But then I noticed the green radiator fluid both on the ground and inside the hood. And more the next day. The next day the car started, but I turned it off, then the day after no start - battery dead.

What could it be? I am poor, if I use AAA to tow the car to a mechanic, and it is too much to fix it, I will not be able to have it towed back and will lose my poor car. What would cause the antifreeze fluid to be leaking out slowly? The fire only lasted a couple of minutes, and burned the wires connecting the alternator and a little black on the alternator is all.