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mtjim · 12-02-2006, 06:10 PM

Lost our 1979 Airstream this past Thursday to a fire at 4:30 pm. It was parked next to our house and Fire Chief said it must have been an electical short. It was plugged up to the house electricity. Hate to even think what might have happened if the fire had started in the middle of the night. We are really fortunate and blessed that it occurred when it did.

We just had returned from a 1200 mile trip to SW Kansas on Nov18 where we stayed in the Meade Lake State Park for three nights. Sure did have a good time and are heart broken that our "retreat on Wheels" is gone.

Passerbys saw the blaze and knocked on our house door so we caught the fire early and called 911. The interior is ruined by smoke and fire but the fire never broke through any of the vents or Air conditioner. The trailer was closed up tight and the lack of air actually prevented the fire from becoming totally out of control. We used a fire extinguisher to knock down the blaze before the Fire Truck arrived. Also hooked to it and towed it away from the house before the Fire Truck arrived.

I know one thing for sure now. I will never keep my next trailer plugged in all the time when I'm not using it.

Yep - we are going to get another trailer and it will be an Airstream.

**moosetags** · 12-02-2006, 06:17 PM

We are really sorry to hear of your Airstream loss. We are also glad that no one was hurt. Airstreams can be replaced, people can't. Glad to hear that you will continue Airstreaming.

Fyrzowt · 12-02-2006, 06:18 PM

I'm sorry for the loss of your A/S, this is just a bummer! You were thinking more calmly than most to have the presence of mind to get it away from your house. Great job! All too often we see people just freeze and take no action under these stressful circumstances. I applaud you.
Good luck in your search for a new trailer, I sorry you have to go thru this.
Dave

SilverSurfer · 12-02-2006, 06:18 PM

WOW, I am sorry to hear about your trailer! Your advice is well taken, I too have left mine for days on end plugged in and always worried in the back of my mind that it could catch on fire. I am glad to hear that your home was ok, so scary!

Roscinante · 12-02-2006, 06:30 PM

Really sorry about your loss. I know how excited we were when we first parked our AS in the driveway, hooked up the electric power cord and began showing the neighbors our new toy. I appreciate your willingness to get a painful lesson learned out to all us in the Forum.

May the new year bring you nothing but good stuff and a "replacement" AS!

Bless you and your family - glad all were safe!

JERRY

Astrodokk · 12-02-2006, 07:37 PM

Will they be able to trace the origin of the fire or short? If they can and it's a manufacturimng defect, it may be possible to have it replaced??? Time to call CSI!

Babeebloos · 12-02-2006, 11:01 PM

Would it help if the outlet had one of those safety thingy's like in bathrooms???

Fyrzowt · 12-02-2006, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babeebloos

Would it help if the outlet had one of those safety thingy's like in bathrooms???

You're probably talking about a GFCI. Without knowing where the fire started, there is no telling. From the original post, my impression is that the "Chief" was guessing at the cause or wasn't too sure. That happens, we can't always pin down the exact cause. One of my job duties is fire investigation, and I can tell you that a lot of fires get blamed on electrical causes, which in fact have some other cause. On the other hand, it could be electrical in nature - what are the potential heat sources in the trailer? Electrical on, propane off I assume? No recent use of stains, etc which may have ignited such as in rags? You have to look at the total picture, define the area of origin, and look at the potential heat sources in that area.
OK, enough Fire investigation 101.

Many times the insurance company will send their own fire investigator. If they do, I'd be interested in his/her findings.
Dave

FreshAir · 12-02-2006, 11:47 PM

How heartbreaking of a loss. However, the next Airstream for you will be even better. You know that. I wouldn't be afraid to keep the next one plugged in because of this traggedy. I am sure an investigation will show what extra pre-cautions will need to be in the future. I maybe would not park next to the house if possible.
Neil.

rickandsandi · 12-03-2006, 06:12 AM

Dear MTJIM- What a terrible loss. Becuase of your quick thinking and staying calm you probably saved your house. Timing is everything and if there is any positive behind such an event, the losses could have been worse and no one was hurt! I would definatly try to find the exact source of the fire. I am sure it is not because your were plugged into shore power as the root cause for the fire. This horrible event most likely could have occured while at a campground at 1:30 AM if that were the root cause! When you are camping you most often are plugged into shorepower! We have our AS plugged in all summer long, charging batteries, running ref. etc. We go out with it almost every weekend, so we want to be ever-ready. Many folks up here in New England leave theirs plugged in to run electric heaters. I do hope you are able to find the cause for peace of mind if nothing else. Look forward to see your AS!

john hd · 12-03-2006, 07:01 AM

mtjim

sorry to hear of your loss.

this brings up another issue i learned from a long time airstreamer. don't pad lock your trailer hitch when towing.

if the trailer is on fire and you need to uncouple it to save your tow vehicle you won't be fumbling for the keys or trying to remember the combination!

take it for what it is worth!

john

Chaplain Kent · 12-03-2006, 07:08 AM

I can only imagine what a horrible sight that must have been for you to look out and see your trailer on fire. I feel for you and wish you the best in your search for a new Airstream.

ZoominC6 · 12-03-2006, 07:16 AM

Condolences on your loss. We're happy to hear you're well along with your home. Now you can look forward to the purchase of a new baby. We have ours plugged in and backed up to the garage in preparation for a trip tomorrow for mods and upgrades at our favorite Airstream shop Texas. I think I'll unplug as a safety precaution as the batteries are fully charged and theres no need to leave it plugged in. Anything freaky can happen, I suppose, no matter what the age of the Airstream. Try to have fun with the selection of your replacement Airstream. Thanks for sharing this difficult story with us all and here's hoping that you have better luck with your new Airstream. Happy Trails

RoadKingMoe · 12-03-2006, 07:19 AM

I'm very sorry for your loss. Yes, you were blessed it wasn't at night, but you were doubly blessed it wasn't when you were aboard, asleep. From what I've read, RV and boat electrical fires are usually from the battery-powered system.

Our Airstream has been plugged in 24x7 for the 4+ years we've owned it (3-stage charger/converter now) and it certainly will be if we full-time in it. If you can't trust it to do that, I don't think I'd sleep very well in it.

Jim Clark · 12-03-2006, 07:27 AM

I am glad your family and home are safe. I know you will find another trailer and this will just be a story to share.

I have my trailer plugged in 24/7 with my Ford F-150 parked in front of it, I am strating to have a hard time sleeping.

Jim

Silvertwinkie · 12-03-2006, 07:38 AM

Sorry to hear it. Just plain gut wrenching. I know a good number of us park our Airstreams next to the house when we are loading, unloading, getting ready for a trip. Any number of things could have made this a much worse story.

maxandgeorgia · 12-03-2006, 08:41 AM

Mtjim, condolences to our near neighbor for the loss of your Airstream. This sends a tremor through all of us since setting up a 30 amp hookup for our trailers/MH's at home is so basic a practice. Good luck in settling on your loss, and best wishes hunting for your new Airstream. I know we don't find many advertised locally around here, although that is how we found ours. We are grateful with you that no greater damage was done or injury to you and your family. ~G

safari57 · 12-03-2006, 09:00 AM

mtjim

What a rotten thing to happen. Losing a much loved trailer or vehicle is very disappointing. Reacting to the emergency in the way that you did mitigated the potential disaster that could have happened which is a great credit to your and anyone who helped you, and the fact that someone noticed it and came and alerted you to what was happening is also outstanding.

One wonders how many people have a fire extiguisher available and are comfortable that it's a good one and know how to use it if a similar situation should happen to them. We know a couple who lost two very expensive classic cars and their attached garage plus had tens of thousands of dollars of damage done to their home and furnishings - all for the fact that he had an inadequate fire extinguisher on hand that wasn't large enough nor did he understand the things to do when a fire started. Physically they recovered, financially they were well insured, but the mental picture has left them both impacted in many ways.

You will hopefully find just the right replacement for your Airstream and create a whole new set of great memories with it. Many of us will learn a great lesson from your misfortune and hopefully it will save us from a similar fate. I for one am going to check the date code on my fire extinguishers today.

Take care,
Barry

Fyrzowt · 12-03-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

I for one am going to check the date code on my fire extinguishers today.

They should be serviced periodically, businesses are required to have this done annually, also a good idea in any trailer or vehicle. One of the issues is that they use a dry powder as the extinguishing agent. Over time, and with vibration the powder can settle and pack down into a lump. One thing I do, and would recommend: Occasionally turn the extinguisher upside down and thump it a few times with a rubber mallet to shake the powder around and loosen it up. Also check the guage to make sure it's still in the green. Position it near the door so you can grab it on the way out of the trailer, then if it's safe to do so, fight the fire from the doorway. FWIW.
Dave

str8strm · 12-03-2006, 04:45 PM

Fyrzowt:
Good advice for all. Make sure you have a way out if you find yourself trying to save your RV with an extinguisher. In 30 years in the fire service I've seen too manyfolks who thought the extinguisher would protect them. A lot of singed eyebrows and burned houses was the result. Aim it at the base of the flames and don't expect too much. The reality is that trailers and Mohos usually go up like a matchbook. The coach can be replaced, you can't.