Poor ol` Rusty.

[haggis]

Well, spent an afternoon with Dad tidying up Rusty, ready to go to Cornwall tomorrow for a few days. Decided to check the fridge as I`ve never used it, so, off it went, click, click, click. Next thing I knew, the damn thing exploded in my face. Went inside to sort myself out only to notice it was still clicking. So, disconnected the gas bottle and called the fire brigade because by now flames were coming out of the rear offside air vent, so, after throwing some water on it we just stood back and watched it melt. The outside doesn`t look too bad but inside is a wee bit messy. If I knew how to send photos I would but I don`t so I can`t. I was in the ambulance for most of the time so I missed the exciting bits..... Anyway want to buy a summer project? Haggis.

[roamingsue]

OH... speechless... as you are typing and therefore allowed home, clearly a lucky escape I hope you have not been burnt too badly. ... this is not a wind up is it? Just checking....

[haggis]

Hi Sue. No, definitely not a wind up. I have a melted van outside the house to verify things. Well, the inside has melted anyway. So have my eyebrows. Now follows months of hassle with the insurance company....oh joy. Happy camping everyone. Haggis

[jiffyman]

Atleast you came out of it ok, it could have been alot worse!! but sorry to here about the damage...

Hope the insurance company settle up quickly for you..

[jayjay]

OMG! Hope you are ok! Also hope the insurance claim goes ok. Do you know what started the fire - was the fridge or gas regulator malfunctioning? Never heard of that happening before!

[djsooz]

What a horrible thing to happen. Glad to hear you're ok. Hope your insurance company settles and that your van will be repaired ok.

Sooz.

[roamingsue]

Haggis this sounds like the motorhome from hell...... I am glad you are okay though.

[haggis]

Yes, I reckon Rusty is ( was) the motorhome from hell. I must have been a real swine in a previous life and this is my punishment for it. I contacted the insurance company on Saturday morning and I am now waiting for an engineer to phone to make an appointment to see the remains. I don`t think it can be repaired as the inside is badly damaged by flames and smoke, the windows and skylight have melted and the rear quarter panel has almost burnt through. I don`t know what caused the fire though. I was kneeling outside the van with my face towards the fridge trying to see if the spark had ignited when it went "pop". A fireman checked the gas bottle later and didn`t say it was damaged or faulty or anything so I assume it was a problem with the actual fridge..... not that the fridge is ever going to do anything ever again. The battle with the insurance company will be the next thing ......... oh what fun!! Have fun everyone, Haggis. With the singed nose.

[ant]

Hi Haggis.
A classic case of the "Lunken" gas hose leaking under the fridge. The fridge lights OK then once enough gas has leaked into the area under the fridge it all burns very rapidly.
Lunken hoses ( armoured flexible gas hose) should be replaced every 5 years, better still changed for solid copper.
Ant

[Graham]

Hi haggis,

You've certainly had your problems with poor old Rusty, glad you survived albeit a little singed it could have been a lot worse by the sounds of it. Hope you get a quick settlement so you can get another van.

Graham

[haggis]

Hi Graham. The insurance company have agreed a price BUT as I thought it might keep the premium low and also as I wasn`t planning on making any claims, I went for a low valuation price . They have agreed this figure , minus the excess , so IF the cheque ever arrives I would never be able to replace Rusty with the amount. I only paid £2400 for Rusty ................ Live and learn , eh? Live and learn. Mind you, from the amount of mistakes I keep making, I should be a blooming genius by now. ;D Haggis. PhD, MD , MsC, BA , Um, Err and many others...