Fire Safety

[axis earl]

This is not specific to Thor but a reminder for all of us. I had a very chilling call the other night from my daughter who was camping with their 1992 Four Winds Class A 31' motor home at the Colorado River in Yuma, AZ. They were leaving their camp site on their pontoon when they noticed that their coach was becoming engulfed in flames. Thank the Almighty that they had all their babies on board the boat, the dogs didn't go on this trip and no one was injured. The Class A is nothing but a burnt out cinder. Don't know at this point what caused the fire but I suspect old wiring or problems with the refrigerator. The point is that we are talking about our Axis as far as scenarios for escape routes in the event of a fire while we are inside. Very sobering call as I said.... I'll share more info as I get it. Got a bit of a story how a BLM uniform employee was reading my daughter's family the riot act about possible HAZMAT costs because of the totally burned motor home but that might lead me into a very negative rant....

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by axis earl

Don't know at this point what caused the fire but I suspect old wiring or problems with the refrigerator.

The refrigerator on our old 5er (about the same vintage) had a recall for that very problem--can't remember now what was done though.

[Joe-FL]

Sorry to read about your daughters fire. Thank goodness everyone is safe. I have read numerous stories over the years about RV frigs causing fires.

[SuperD]

Thankfully no one was hurt, what a blessing!!! Sorry for the fire but a coach can always be replaced.

Several years ago I was living full time in a beautiful campground, couple pulled up in a 45' DP, husband went in to pay for a site. Wife was in the coach alone, smelled smoke and got out to look around, rear of coach was starting to smoke with flames beginning to come out of engine compartment. Several people tried to use fire extinguishers with no luck, $800,000 coach burnt completely to the ground, nothing left but a melted pile of goo, ashes, and metal. Investigators said an engine oil line burst and sprayed on the exhaust causing the fire. Fortunately no one hurt but very scary!

[Mr Sunshine]

Oh, my! A sobering safety reminder for us all! While it is sad to lose her RV, it is a blessing that no one was hurt.

Here's a great article with some good suggestions for all of us: RV Fire Safety Tips - Love Your RV blog

Most of us know to check the smoke alarms and the fire extinguisher, but that's really just a start.

Looking forward to the next installment of this story!

[axis earl]

I thank all of you for the wonderful and caring comments. Met them today at a RV show and I could tell they (not the kids...) were pretty uptight. My daughter looked at one with a beautiful bunk set up and started crying....

[TexAxis]

How frightening for your daughter and family. So glad they are all safe. Thanks for sharing this story and I look forward to hearing more on this... including the new RV they get?

[ernie01jt]

I'm glad no one was hurt physically anyways. I met Mac the fire guy a rally in Goshen, he is a fountain of knowledge. His website is HOME
After following his recommendations we feel much better now.

[schreinertms]

Rather than just settle with the mediocre fire extinguisher that comes with RV's, BTW, the original one was empty noticed during my PDI, I added two other large extinguishers to my coach. One next to me when I drive, one in the rear bedroom and the equipped one that is mounted near the doorway. Not that I plan on saving my RV from a fire but at least we have the means to try and create a safe evac route in the event of fire.