Automatic Transmission Cooler problems of the 1997 GMC Savana

My automatic transmission completely lost all of it's fluid while I was driving and left a cloud of smoke which caused me to stop. When I saw a pool of transmission fluid, I looked under the van and noticed that the exhaust crossover pipe had caused the fluid to ignite under the van and flames were visible under the vehicle. At this point, I ordered my wife to get out of the van because of the flames. A motorist must have called the mt. Morris fire department because a fire truck arrived at the sceen. I had already put the flames out by using a fire extinguisher that I carry. My van had to be towed to albert Chevrolet in mt. Morris (they were one of the few dealerships that were open on Saturday). The dealer stated that the transmission alone is listed for $1,350. 00 plus labor and any addition fluids and/or parts. I estimate this to cost approximately $2,500. 00.