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.
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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 !!
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.
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
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
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.
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Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
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..
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?
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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.
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Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
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.
__________________
Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
