Nissan Repair: jumpstart battery then fire, nissan maxima, smoke and fire

Question
a neighbor jump started his old car with his father's nissan maxima. pulled the maxima back into the garage hood shut. a few minutes later he noticed the engine hood area smoking, he opened the hood and i guess the air rush caused flames to shoot out..long story car gone, garage and part of the house.

i assume since he jumpstarted his car with the fathers good car. fathers car caught on fire.
did he reverse the cables during the jumpstart? could have this caused the fire? trying to figure out what caused the smoke and fire after the car was jumpstarted/ any ideas?  thanks

Answer
Bob,

It was probably a defective battery as once the system is disconnected and turned off that would be the only thing I would think could cause the problem I think it would have done it regardless.  And, he should not blame himself as the battery would have gone out at another time.  i had a friend with a Mustang and his did it in the driveway while he was at work.  The battery shorted internally and caused the fire.