Date:         Thu, 5 Aug 2004 13:15:30 -0600
Reply-To:     Paul Connelly <paul@THEMOUNTAINSUSA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Connelly <paul@THEMOUNTAINSUSA.COM>
Subject:      Fire Talk - Campers
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Listees,

I witnessed a rather horrific event yesterday. I live and work in Frisco Colorado, and my office is just across the street from what used to be a Conoco gas station. The final verdict is not yet out, but as eyewitnesses this is what we saw...
An older model camper (non VW) was filling up at the pump and either (2 differing reports) the camper owner unscrewed a "filter" I'm guessing sputter valve (maybe after coming over Vail Pass he thought that he should vent it) on his propane tank, OR the gas station attendant was changing a filter on the gas pump (unlikely since there were vehicles fuelling at all of the pumps).
Either way, there was a very heavy gaseous mix of propane or gasoline in the air just waiting for an ignition source... All of a sudden the side of the camper erupted in flame covering the guy filling up and then quickly enveloped the whole gas station. About eight major explosions followed with massive flames which we estimated at over 150 feet, the gas station and vehicles were no more, there was 1 dead and six more hospitalized. To cut a long story short we are all guessing that the camper's fridge was lit providing that all important source of ignition. 


I for one will be extinguishing the pilot on my fridge before I fill up with gas again.... Just a thought.

Paul Connelly
Frisco, Co.
'86 Syncro Westy.