Whilst having a quiet dinner last night there was a massive explosion in the Caravan park, along with many others I took off outside to see what had happened and discovered that a lady was being looked after by others from the park and an ambulance had been called so I left.
Today I discovered what happened there had been an LPG leak in the Cupboard and when the lady smelt it and called her husband he apparently reached in the van from outside and opened the cupboard door (Mid side entry door and side Kitchen), allowing air into cupboard and generating a massive explosion that destroyed the Kitchen part of which hit the lady and if you look along the sides of the van they are bowed out and spare wheel arch blown down onto the wheel luckily no fire.
The lady is ok only bruised from being hit by cupboard doors but the van appears to be a write off this shows just how dangerous gas is in confined places, worth noting neither of the Gas bottles on draw bar were damaged.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:16 PM Jul 9, 2014
I was first to a van VPG explosion in Ryde NSW about 15 years ago.. They are LUCKY to be alive..
I was sent there as there was a power outage.. Sheesh !!
Cupie said
11:31 PM Jul 9, 2014
When I first got my van I went round & siliconed up all the holes in the cupboard floors where pipes went thru. I was trying to keep dust out.
Have recently gone round & cleaned them out again ... to let out any escaping gas ... might just help a bit.
the rocket said
10:35 AM Jul 10, 2014
aussietraveller wrote:
Whilst having a quiet dinner last night there was a massive explosion in the Caravan park, along with many others I took off outside to see what had happened and discovered that a lady was being looked after by others from the park and an ambulance had been called so I left.
Today I discovered what happened there had been an LPG leak in the Cupboard and when the lady smelt it and called her husband he apparently reached in the van from outside and opened the cupboard door (Mid side entry door and side Kitchen), allowing air into cupboard and generating a massive explosion that destroyed the Kitchen part of which hit the lady and if you look along the sides of the van they are bowed out and spare wheel arch blown down onto the wheel luckily no fire.
The lady is ok only bruised from being hit by cupboard doors but the van appears to be a write off this shows just how dangerous gas is in confined places, worth noting neither of the Gas bottles on draw bar were damaged.
Hi, Thanks for posting this but I am a bit perplexed. could you explain it again. if gas was in the cupboard why did it explode? what is a mid side entry door? thanks.
Bryan said
11:59 AM Jul 10, 2014
I am under the impression, but don't know for sure, that ALL gas appliances had to be vented outside for compliance.
Vic41 said
12:10 PM Jul 10, 2014
Cripes, they were very lucky AT.
Years ago we were at a Top Tourist park at Bunbury when an onsite van exploded and caught fire, caused by the fridge (gas) we were told.
The heat was that extreme it melted the plastic weatherboard cladding on nearby cabins, looked like icecream dripping. Luckily nobody was at home and nobody hurt.
Here are some shots from another explosion at Banka Banks Station some years ago caused by fuel vapour from a jerry can that had been opened (pressure built up inside) and it was ignited by the pilot light of a gas fridge under the annex. The owner was going to fill up a generator. Both he and his wife were severely burned, luckily their kids were out playing. Photo's taken by the manager at the time.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 10th of July 2014 12:12:51 PM
I am under the impression, but don't know for sure, that ALL gas appliances had to be vented outside for compliance.
They basically are, as the vent in the bottom of the outside door is to allow lpg to escape through that vent if there is lpg leak in the van.
Cheers
David
aussie_paul said
12:19 PM Jul 10, 2014
So, did the gas ignite but the explosion blew the flames out??
Aussie Paul.
JayDee said
04:09 PM Jul 10, 2014
geessee what a fire ball. Something we do not want to happen to us or anyone.
One never knows what is around the corner.
Jay&Dee
Bryan said
04:46 PM Jul 10, 2014
Thanks David
That pic is scary Vic and a timely reminder how dangerous it can be.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:59 PM Jul 10, 2014
Why I prefer diesel if I can ! Especially for heating while a sleep . It's not the size of the bottle . The explosion in Ryde was from hand held 1KG gas bottle .. The air and gas in van becomes the bomb! Sheesh Can't beet good gas detecters..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 10th of July 2014 06:02:44 PM
Legendts said
08:06 PM Jul 10, 2014
LPG will not explode without an ignition source, the fire triangle, fuel - air - ignition, leave one out, no "BANG". There was probably a pilot light that caused the explosion and yes, depending on the volume and concentration, it can blow itself out.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:43 PM Jul 10, 2014
Yep there was a skeleton at the site we went too.. The switch in door was enough to set it off..
Seems its more important to take pics than to save / help these days..
Joe50 said
12:45 AM Jul 11, 2014
Back to the OP, if the husband was outside the van when he reached in and opened the cupboard, could the explosion have been caused by a static electricity discharge?
Legendts said
08:37 PM Jul 11, 2014
jpw50 wrote:
Back to the OP, if the husband was outside the van when he reached in and opened the cupboard, could the explosion have been caused by a static electricity discharge?
That is quite possible, particularly if he was wearing nylon type clothing.
aussietraveller said
03:01 PM Jul 12, 2014
A few questions raised, Mid mount entry door there are 4 different positions for entry doors on Caravans that I have seen small vans with Rear entry doors then larger vans with doors on left hand side front middle (Mid) rear dependant on your choice where the Manufacturer puts the door.
LPG can Explode when mixed with air according to the people from Fire and Rescue who attended the explosion and there was no sign of any fire in the van but there was plenty of evidence of an explosion.
I think if it was caused by static electricity there would be some sign of fire but in this case there was no sign of fire.
Legendts said
04:49 PM Jul 12, 2014
Depending on the mixture it can be classed as "cold", although I have never seen one. Enough hot ones though
03_troopy said
07:55 AM Jul 13, 2014
There still needs to be an ignition source to cause it to explode, either static electricity or a pilot light of some sort.
Whilst having a quiet dinner last night there was a massive explosion in the Caravan park, along with many others I took off outside to see what had happened and discovered that a lady was being looked after by others from the park and an ambulance had been called so I left.
Today I discovered what happened there had been an LPG leak in the Cupboard and when the lady smelt it and called her husband he apparently reached in the van from outside and opened the cupboard door (Mid side entry door and side Kitchen), allowing air into cupboard and generating a massive explosion that destroyed the Kitchen part of which hit the lady and if you look along the sides of the van they are bowed out and spare wheel arch blown down onto the wheel luckily no fire.
The lady is ok only bruised from being hit by cupboard doors but the van appears to be a write off this shows just how dangerous gas is in confined places, worth noting neither of the Gas bottles on draw bar were damaged.
I was sent there as there was a power outage.. Sheesh !!
When I first got my van I went round & siliconed up all the holes in the cupboard floors where pipes went thru. I was trying to keep dust out.
Have recently gone round & cleaned them out again ... to let out any escaping gas ... might just help a bit.
I am under the impression, but don't know for sure, that ALL gas appliances had to be vented outside for compliance.
Cripes, they were very lucky AT.
Years ago we were at a Top Tourist park at Bunbury when an onsite van exploded and caught fire, caused by the fridge (gas) we were told.
The heat was that extreme it melted the plastic weatherboard cladding on nearby cabins, looked like icecream dripping. Luckily nobody was at home and nobody hurt.
Here are some shots from another explosion at Banka Banks Station some years ago caused by fuel vapour from a jerry can that had been opened (pressure built up inside) and it was ignited by the pilot light of a gas fridge under the annex. The owner was going to fill up a generator. Both he and his wife were severely burned, luckily their kids were out playing. Photo's taken by the manager at the time.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 10th of July 2014 12:12:51 PM
They basically are, as the vent in the bottom of the outside door is to allow lpg to escape through that vent if there is lpg leak in the van.
Cheers
David
So, did the gas ignite but the explosion blew the flames out??
Aussie Paul.
geessee what a fire ball. Something we do not want to happen to us or anyone.
One never knows what is around the corner.
Jay&Dee
Thanks David
That pic is scary Vic and a timely reminder how dangerous it can be.
Why I prefer diesel if I can ! Especially for heating while a sleep . It's not the size of the bottle . The explosion in Ryde was from hand held 1KG gas bottle .. The air and gas in van becomes the bomb! Sheesh
Can't beet good gas detecters..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 10th of July 2014 06:02:44 PM
Seems its more important to take pics than to save / help these days..
That is quite possible, particularly if he was wearing nylon type clothing.
LPG can Explode when mixed with air according to the people from Fire and Rescue who attended the explosion and there was no sign of any fire in the van but there was plenty of evidence of an explosion.
I think if it was caused by static electricity there would be some sign of fire but in this case there was no sign of fire.