Motorhomer killed in fire!

[icantremember]

Just seen this, very sad....... http://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news...ed_as_blaze_turns_motorhome_to_ashes/?ref=rss

 

[Mikey RV]

So sad especially at this time of year.

 

[irnbru]

Very sad news.

 

[flatpackchicken]

Terrible news, just someone enjoying there time away like us all
Regards Garry Flatpackchicken

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Sad indeed. There but for the Grace..........

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

A timely warning to all those who insist in bolting themselves inside at night though there is nothing to say that this was the case here.

 

[Baycott]

Just goes to show how important a good smoke alarm is.
Very sad news.

 

[Bulawayo Lass]

Interesting comment about electrical appliances at the end. We do not have much in CB but reading posts about hair dryers leaving heating on overnight (people seem to have quite high wattage) etc it makes me and l hope others stop and have a think.
When we went away the other weekend l refused to take the electric blanket as l didn't know how it would affect things. l may be called paranoid but would rather be safe than sorry.

And if you think that breakers always work no they don't where l used to locum at on nights had a fire the breakers didn't trip in time.

 

[Judge Mental]

A timely warning to all those who insist in bolting themselves inside at night though there is nothing to say that this was the case here.

why most manufacturers disable dead locking when they convert a van to a camper...terrible way to go

 

[Puddleduck]

Sad

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

why most manufacturers disable dead locking when they convert a van to a camper...terrible way to go

That's good.

The one that turned me cold was a member who said "we are safe at night, I hang out of the cap window, pull the outside lock across and lock it then tie the cab doors together".

 

[Judge Mental]

well......... what can you do! madness....

milenco window/door alarms 20 odd quid

 

[houdini]

"One of the reasons why caravans catch fire is because people overload the electricity board by using household appliances like kettles."

Terrible, terrible news.
Does the quote mean you are not advised to use electric kettles?

 

[Bertie Bassett]

"One of the reasons why caravans catch fire is because people overload the electricity board by using household appliances like kettles."

Terrible, terrible news.
Does the quote mean you are not advised to use electric kettles?

No, it doesn't as long as all your appliances do not exceed the maximum available power, however when they do the EHU should trip out. The quote comes from a site owner who is probably still in shock having just lost a customer in a horrible manner. A similar thing occurred to two fishermen on a site recently, they had left their 25 foot lead coiled on the reel underneath the van ...............now that is dangerous and it killed them too.

 

[icantremember]

We have stayed at the site involved which is well kept and has loads of space .... I do question though if there were only two "caravans" on site due to off season, why they were so close that the second one was also damaged in the blaze.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Bertie Bassett]

We have stayed at the site involved which is well kept and has loads of space .... I do question though if there were only two "caravans" on site due to off season, why they were so close that the second one was also damaged in the blaze.

Good point and one I didn't pick up when reading the article. Perhaps they chose the pitches themselves, the deceased lady being by herself?

 

[DanielFord]

Totally tragic, and very upsetting!

 

[camocam1]

Very sad news

 

[injebreck99]

This is when the 6 metre rule makes sense, RIP.

 

[scotjimland]

Very sad indeed .... and agree about the 6mt rule being important ..

A fire on a site is scary enough, but on an aire when vans are almost touching is unthinkable..

we've been on a few when you literally couldn't open a window fully.. one goes up it's likely to spread to the whole lot

I recall many years ago there was a bad fire on a camp site on the French Rivera .. can't recall the details now, but it was bad.. dozens of tents and caravans went up.. gas bottles exploding all over the place.. several killed.. scary stuff.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[houdini]

A timely warning to all those who insist in bolting themselves inside at night though there is nothing to say that this was the case here.

Bit of a dilemma, as I know I would feel very insecure having the MH unlocked all night.

 

[dave newell]

why most manufacturers disable dead locking when they convert a van to a camper...terrible way to go

Yes truly terrible occurrence at any time of year but I have to take issue with the statement that most manufacturers disable dead locking. Some do some don't.

D.

 

[Wildman]

I thought all motorhomes HAD to have at least one window large enough to get out of.
Terrible thing to happen at any time of the year.

 

[scotjimland]

I thought all motorhomes HAD to have at least one window large enough to get out of

yes is the short answer ..

according to the NCC information..

All new motorhomes approved under the NCC Product Approval scheme are safe and legal for use on UK roads. The NCC scheme is the only one in Europe which verifies complete product compliance with the comprehensive health and safety standards set by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and European Standards body CEN.


If the vehicle is NCC approved, it will have an NCC Approved badge near the main entrance door.


To achieve approval, the model will have undergone over 600 checks covering all aspects of the motorhome, including:

• Gas and electrical installations
• Tyres, road lights, reflectors
• Weights and dimensions
• Fridge, heater and water systems
• Ventilation and emergency exits

but what constitutes and emergence exit ?

worth checking when purchasing a new or second hand van.. I bet a lot of home builds don't have one...

 

[hilldweller]

Bit of a dilemma, as I know I would feel very insecure having the MH unlocked all night.

Certainly not unlocked. But this was one of those locks that goes across the main door when you are out. Not chance they would ever have got out in a fire.

We have the standard twist to lock inside plus alarm contacts on the 3 doors. Good enough in my book.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GWAYGWAY]

It referred to a motorhome, only by the police spokesperson. It looks like an ordinary towed caravan. Does anyone have more details? The gas bottle looks intact but very burnt, that is the thing that worries me most in my MH.

 

[iandsm]

A timely warning to all those who insist in bolting themselves inside at night though there is nothing to say that this was the case here.

Surely you not suggesting people should leave doors/windows insecure. Perhaps what you mean is its a good idea to ensure you have a means of escape in the event of a fire

 

[wingman]

RIP Lady. Such a tragedy.

I know it's impossible to speculate on this incident, but what would cause such a rapid blaze that one couldn't escape? In the pic, the gas cylinder is still intact and there was no explosion.

Do all vans go up like this? I thought that they had fire-retardant materials? You would expect a large fire to be started by a small one? Even without a smoke alarm, unless incapacitated by drink or fumes, you would hear it, smell it or feel the heat and bail out of a window?

Awful thought. good to have a fire plan rehaps?

 

[Tootles]

No, it doesn't as long as all your appliances do not exceed the maximum available power, however when they do the EHU should trip out. The quote comes from a site owner who is probably still in shock having just lost a customer in a horrible manner. A similar thing occurred to two fishermen on a site recently, they had left their 25 foot lead coiled on the reel underneath the van ...............now that is dangerous and it killed them too.

A good point Bertie. Really surprising how a lot of peeps leave metres of mains cable still coiled on a drum, then put it under the van.

 

[sedge]

Well for all we know at this stage, the lady might have died otherwise than in the fire. Who's to say she wasn't a smoker, it was an old van and when she dropped off and her lit fag dropped on the non fire retardant foam cushion. mattress, whatever .....

We don't know so it's no use speculating.

We always say this to wardens - and to other campers whether motorhome, caravan or tent - in case of fire get out immediately and run shouting FIRE!! at the top of your voice. Don't stop for anything - not to unfasten the fire extinguisher, grab the ruddy fire bucket, your handbag or any THING else. Any BODY - yes, but not THINGS.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}