Another Fire

[EA37TS]

In my neck of the woods, not too far from Myrtle Beach, a couple days ago.

https://www.wmbfnews.com/2021/03/31/...ay-near-aynor/

[Bob Denman]

Any idea as to what caused it?

[EA37TS]

No. I will give the local FD a call next week and see if they will give a cause.

[Bob Denman]

The Toad look toasted: but not enough to have been the cause...
It seemed to burn through the back of the coach. I would say engine fire?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The Toad look toasted: but not enough to have been the cause...
It seemed to burn through the back of the coach. I would say engine fire?

That's the #1 cause of MH fires, but this looks like a gasser to me, not a DP. The "burn through" area is where the rear window was. I'm not convinced this wasn't started in the toad. The back of the MH is scorched and the whole front clip of the toad is gone with at least one front flat tire (melted?). It's a Jeep; not sure what model, so maybe a different outcome of leaving it in gear while towing?

Definitely NOT a fridge fire.

[Travelin' Texans]

It's a gasser, so not an engine fire! You can see the furnace cover below what use to be a rear window.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

It's a gasser, so not an engine fire! You can see the furnace cover below what use to be a rear window.

Still is a rear window - note the reflection. The damage below the rear window was likely done by the fire fighters verifying no coals/embers. It just doesn't look like the MH was on fire but was the victim of a toad engine compartment fire.

[Bob Denman]

Thr Toad's front wheels and tires don't show the damage from that sort of fire.

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Still is a rear window - note the reflection. The damage below the rear window was likely done by the fire fighters verifying no coals/embers. It just doesn't look like the MH was on fire but was the victim of a toad engine compartment fire.

If I were investigating the fire from this angle I'd say the Jeep caught fire! From this angle there's nothing above the tires on the front end of the Jeep but the scorched hood, radiators gone, front fender gone, left front tire looks partially melted & then
severely scorched to the rear of the mh.
Whatever the case both are totalled & someone's insurance premiums just raised considerably!

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

If I were investigating the fire from this angle I'd say the Jeep caught fire! From this angle there's nothing above the tires on the front end of the Jeep but the scorched hood, radiators gone, front fender gone, left front tire looks partially melted & then
severely scorched to the rear of the mh.
Whatever the case both are totalled & someone's insurance premiums just raised considerably!

I believe the rear of the motorhome caught first. The rear of the MH is more than scorched. There is no longer a roof and everything inside is toast.

[pneumatics]

Should start a poll.... where did the fire start?

My vote is the Toad. If the wind was blowing toward the MH that is. I see smoke damage from the drivers side window and more rear damage up high than low. With not much damage to the Jeep's cabin if the wind was blowing away from that.

Bad fire, looks like everybody got out OK. That is why you need insurance.

[Chance]

Looks like a Winnebago Vista 29VE and 4-door Wrangler.

Must be a popular combination.

[Judge]

The Wrangler plastic fenders are missing (likely melted) as well as the front grill and the left front is flat. I'm going with the Toad caught on fire and damaged the back of the coach. There would be gas in the engine compartment and once ghat ignited it could easily spread to the back of the coach.

[JamieGeek]

What the hey I'll throw some wood on the speculation fire (too soon?):

My guess: They were driving along and noticed the toad catch on fire in the rear view camera and pulled over to call the FD/PD.

Until they stopped the wind caused by forward motion prevented any damage to the coach. Once they stopped, however, the toad fire burned unchecked while they waited for FD/PD to show up. As toad fire burned the heat (and perhaps some embers) from said fire started to melt and sear the rear of the coach, maybe even lighting it on fire just as said FD/PD arrive to put the whole thing out.

Also a possibilty that the wind direction was from the rear so that once they stopped the fire was blown into the coach...

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

What the hey I'll throw some wood on the speculation fire (too soon?):

My guess: They were driving along and noticed the toad catch on fire in the rear view camera and pulled over to call the FD/PD.

Until they stopped the wind caused by forward motion prevented any damage to the coach. Once they stopped, however, the toad fire burned unchecked while they waited for FD/PD to show up. As toad fire burned the heat (and perhaps some embers) from said fire started to melt and sear the rear of the coach, maybe even lighting it on fire just as said FD/PD arrive to put the whole thing out.

Also a possibilty that the wind direction was from the rear so that once they stopped the fire was blown into the coach...

Sounds good to me, but the reality is we will probably never know for sure unless someone in the tow yard films a video like the mechanic did for the blown engine/transmission with the jeep left in gear.

[Jimmers]

My 2 cents, started in the MH front gas fuel line issue ran to the back fuel tank and went up from there.
Hard to start an electrical internal fire on the highway and have it get this out of hand.
Gas / fuel is needed.

[saddlesore]

Without seeing the right side.. Possibly an inside dual tire caught fire, [run flat?] then went into the floor... OR.... What is in that left rear basement compartment???
Driving down the road thinking that the fire started in the MOHO and the wind pushed the flames back to the jeep..

[atreis]

My vote: The rear of the motorhome caught fire. (Gas leak at the furnace?) They were driving at the time and the air flow from their driving blew the fire to the front of the toad causing the hood and fender damage on the Jeep.

FD must have fun trying to figure out how some of these things happen!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Without seeing the right side.. Possibly an inside dual tire caught fire, [run flat?] then went into the floor... OR.... What is in that left rear basement compartment???
Driving down the road thinking that the fire started in the MOHO and the wind pushed the flames back to the jeep..

That left rear compartment is the generator. Certainly a candidate if the fuel line was leaking and the gene was running. But I’m in the “started in the Jeep” camp

[Jimmers]

Hopefully all parties were Ok in the situation.