Ever get nervous when piloting your RV through an enclosed highway tunnel? Worry about what might happen if there were a fire? One RVer found out in real time on Monday. The Class A motorhome driver stacked it up on a center median barrier in Washington state’s I-90 Mount Baker Tunnel. His response to the RV fire in a tunnel was probably not the brightest we’ve seen. Video later fills in the details.
RV fire in a tunnel shows what you SHOULDN’T do
It all started just after noon on Monday, May 12. The big rig was well into the tunnel headed east out of Seattle. While details are sketchy, it was suggested that the motorhome and a car mixed it up, and the motorhome ended up on the center barrier. State highway department cameras caught the resulting flames—and the RVer’s reaction.
So, put yourself in this guy’s shoes. Your RV is stacked up, and the front end is on fire. You’re in an enclosed tunnel, with not a lot of options on where to run. It’s likely you’d choose to bail out and head for the nearest available exit.
Not this guy. He starts grabbing stuff out of the rig to take with him. All the while, flames (and associated toxic fumes) are roiling all around him. Somehow, according to law enforcement reports, everybody, including “Hapless Harry”, as we’re dubbing him, made it away without injuries.
So, what SHOULD you do?
So what to do in a tunnel fire? Quick thinking—and a quick reaction—may save your bacon from being fried.
RV tunnel fire ruins commuters’ whole day
There could well have been “injuries” to the emotions of other drivers. Some east-bounders in the tunnel didn’t waste time. They turned their cars around and blasted back to fresh air. Other drivers who were planning on making a trip through the Mount Baker Tunnel found themselves stuck in heavy traffic.
The whole mess backed up Interstate 90—and other stretches of pavement throughout the Seattle metro area—for hours. Firefighters finally got the motorhome inferno out, using foam, around 2:30. The tunnel itself didn’t reopen until 5:00 in the evening, with plenty of time to mess up the afternoon rush hour.
Local TV station, KING5, run a full story, including dramatic footage of the fire itself.
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RVT1209b
Oh that is tragic! Of all places. I wonder what the initial accident was about and how did the fire get started? Did he rear end a car? I am sure he was in a panic to save what he could grab – good, bad or indifferent action. Anyway, glad he made it out safely and also appears he was alone. Rv Travel reader? Hmmm…
Hi, Doug. I’ve just searched through a bunch of news stories about this. Several of them say that the RV and a car were involved in a collision. Judging by the video and pictures, it looks like the front of the RV ended up on a barrier. Here’s a link to a news story on KOMONEWS.com with several pictures, plus the video. Thank goodness no one was injured. Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane
Thank you Diane… Since there is no other vehicle which appears in these vids or foto’s I wonder now it perhaps it was road rage event or if he was somehow forced into the center barrier. Hope you are warm and dry… we went from dry and +95f to rain and +39!
Hi, Doug. I just now looked it up to see if there were any updates on what occurred. There isn’t anything new, but several of the old reports mention that a car and RV collided. No further mention about what happened to the car. I think it would have mentioned if it was road rage or something.🤔 Yes, I’m warm and dry now. Went to the track for my daily walk this morning. It was windy and chilly, but dry. About one minute after I got home it started pouring. Nothing extreme like your weather, however. Wow! Take care.🤗 –Diane
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! Well, … that was really something. Guess he had not taken Gail’s advice to prepare a “go-bag” and was hastily gathering the essentials. Sad that he paid such a high price for having the accident. Have a great day and safe travels!
Article says “nobody made it away without injuries “????
Oops! Thanks, Sandi. It’s been fixed. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com