Battery Cable problems of the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country

Bought my 2005 t&c Chrysler minivan in spring of 2009 with a little over 69,000 miles on it. Few months after purchase the red airbag warning light would occassionally come on while at idle or driving rates. No other problems occured and it wasn't happening frequently. By the end of the first year of ownership, the driver side back door lock quit working with the automatic locks, and within a year an a half the driver's side window would occassionally not roll up or down and the front dome lights quit working. Replaced an air conditioner part also. Spent $500 on the front end as well that year. When window failure was more frequent I started researching on the internet about problems that have been common in this make and model of van. On oct 4th 2011, the van failed to start, making a ticking sound, figured battery or altenator. We cleaned battery cables, tried what we could to get it started. The radio and dashlights came on,all the gauges would jump erractically; when we rolled up the passsenger windows radio remained on, however when we rolled up the drivers window the radio and all gauges quit working. We ended up jumping it and were able to drive it home. Had the battery tested and tried a brand new battery to make sure that was the only problem. When we put the battery in and started it, flames shot up from the middle section of the van, just infront of the engine. The panic alarm, the horn, and the windshield wipers where all going off. As soon as we got the battery disconnected the fire went out and alarms and wipers went off. I talked to the nearest Chrysler dealership and from explanation of the various problems they said it sounded like several little problems as opposed to one big electrical problem. I have 3 small children and after the experiences I have had with the van and reading others issues online, I cant wait to get rid of this piece.