I think part of GE's problem with fires might be their fuel arrangement. The Cooper-Bessemer and GE FDL engines use an external fuel system of piping, manifolds and hoses. If something breaks, splits or leaks, and the engine is hot .....

EMD has some external piping from the fuel tank to the fuel pump and through the filters - but most of the distribution system to the injectors is within the valve box - a leak there will result in fuel going into the lube oil (not the best situation either). EMD's will catch fire due to a fuel leak, but has of the fuel system in a position to do it. Most of the EMD external fuel piping is in the back of the loco (front of the engine), far enough away from most ignition sources.