An RVer has been hospitalized with second-degree burns after his fifth wheel was blasted to smithereens in an LP explosion. Where did the errant, explosive gas come from? Authorities are pointing the finger at a portable LP space heater.
Propane space heater danger
Tulare County California firefighters got the call-out just after midnight Wednesday morning. On arrival, first responders found the RVer in the midst of the remains of his rig.
The RVer was sent to a burn unit in Fresno, California. Investigators think a portable propane space heater inside the rig leaked gas and triggered the explosion.
As in other cases, RVtravel.com strongly urges all RVers to verify that their propane gas detectors are operational. Don’t put it off because you don’t have an LP space heater—other appliances use the explosive gas.
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…another great reminder as we get into cold weather. Thanks for posting it.
Wish there was more information here. Was the propane heater of the type that uses a small 16 oz propane cylinder? Or was he using a 5 gallon, BBQ-type indoors? The link to Tulare County Firefighters just takes you to their homepage; no news.
Thanks, Chris. I thought the writer put that in because there wasn’t a link available to the story itself from the fire department. However, I found the fire department’s brief story on its Facebook page so have changed the link so it goes to that. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
We have used the “Big Buddy” heater with a hose I run out a window to a 20 pound bottle.
Has anyone heard of safety issues with these?
Thank you, Russ and Tina, for the timely admonishment to have operational propane leak detectors. Happy new year and safe travels!