| Author |
Message |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 9:31 pm: | |
I am extremely sorry to advise that Driving Miss Lazy suffered probably irreparable damage this morning due to an electrical fire.
At about 7:15 this morning a paramedic on his way to work noticed smoke coming out the roof. He immediately called the local Volunteer Fire Department and knocked on my door and rang the doorbell until he got my attention. I was in my office reviewing the bus nuts boards.
When I went outside, smoke was coming up out of the A/C units and the exhaust fan vents. Paint on the rear passenger side of the bus above where the genset is mounted was blistering up and peeling off.
The firemen arrived in less than ten minutes, which I think is excellent response for a volunteer fire department. At least the chimney is still standing, as well as the basement. I live about three miles out of town.
There were no visible flames at that time. The smoke inside the bus was so heavy that even with breathing apparatus, the firemen could not find their way to the back.
The rear windows were then broken out and flames immediately appeared, but were quickly extinguished with the water hoses.
The bus was plugged into AC power and the insurance investigators (and I) believe the fire started in an electric toe kick heater mounted in a cabinet beside the bed. The cabinet is completely gone as is the mattress and box springs.
Apparently the fire smoldered for several hours, but due to lack of oxygen never erupted into flames. However the heat must have been extreme, as the plastic on the face of the TV melted as well as the doors of the refrigerator half way up the coach. Other plastic throughout the bus as well as ceiling and wall coverings are destroyed, but there are no signs of open flame. A tremendous amount of heat and smoke damage which I feel certain will make it a total loss as far as the insurance company is concerned. There is no apparent damage to anything below the level of the floor in the compartments or the running gear.
I do not have any interest in rebuilding the coach myself. It would require total stripping of the interior from floor to ceiling and then rebuild. If anyone thinks they might be interested, please contact me. I do not know what the insurance company will do until their adjuster from Kentucky arrives sometime next week, but the two investigators that were here today feel that it will be declared a total loss. I strongly suspect that by hooking up the battery cables that the firemen cut, that the unit could be started and driven cross country without any problem.
Just put six new tires on her last week. I am going to Pennsylvania tomorrow and will probably be back in WV sometime Monday.
If Scott Whitney would be so kind as to contact me he could walk me thru posting some before and after photos. It is unbelievable how a beautiful coach can be reduced to a pile of junk so quickly.
Richard |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 9:39 pm: | |
That is truly sad news Richard. I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope the Insurance people meet your expectations.
Gary |
DonTX/KS (67.210.125.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 10:02 pm: | |
I certainly echo that sentiment Richard. |
John Rigby (24.174.239.244)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 11:02 pm: | |
I feel very sad at your loss Richard. |
TWO DOGS (66.90.218.80)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2003 - 11:31 pm: | |
that's really a shame...it was an Eagle wasn't it?and elec. heat...I heard so many people say it was so safe...sounds bad....be lots easier to build a different bus....what rear gear ratio,what engine,what kind of tires... |
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.165.209)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 12:16 am: | |
Richard, you must be crushed. I've posted a few photos and if you don't hear from Scott I'll be happy to help.
It will be of value to learn what the cause is finally determined to be.
Didn't you post recently that your Daughter was traveling in the coach? Thank goodness this happened with no occupants.
Chuck |
BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.171.91)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 12:30 am: | |
Richard, I am stunned that this happened, I can only imagine how you feel at this time. I'm sorry for your loss. It certainly touches us all to hear of it.
Brian |
John Bessette (170.215.88.101)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 1:35 am: | |
Richard
Iam sure sorry to hear of your loss.
John |
Bob Wood so cal (4.63.41.14)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 2:16 am: | |
hi richard. i am so sorry about your bus. try to keep your chin up. bob |
jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 2:23 am: | |
sorry to hear about it.... good luck in whatever follows,,,, jim |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (216.67.210.100)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 2:46 am: | |
Richard,
So sorry to hear of the possible demise of "Driving Miss Lazy". Glad that you and yours were not in any danger, that's the most important thing.
Peter. |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (207.30.189.68)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 6:51 am: | |
Richard,
So sorry to hear about your loss. Having seen your bus at our Bussin' rallies, I know how beautiful it was. |
Frank Allen (152.163.252.163)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 10:57 am: | |
Sorry to read of your loss , i know what it feels like to watch a fire destry as i had one in my bus gen set years ago, i got mine out and was able to drive 3000 miles back home, then figure out what ahppened and correct it so it would never happen again, these disel gen sets will burn guys .
Frank Allen
4106 |
Greg Roberts (Gregeagle20) (66.7.134.190)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 11:19 am: | |
Richard, You must be just sick about your bus. I feel for you. |
Rodger in WA (64.70.24.54)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 12:02 pm: | |
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, Richard. Hopefully, with the help of your insurance company, the story will have a happy ending.
Rodger |
H3Jim (68.107.62.73)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 2:39 pm: | |
Sorry to hear of your loss. I have been enjoying hearing about Driving Miss Lazy for a long time,m it feels like a personal loss. Hope the insruance works out to yoru satisfaciton. Here is where having a good company really pays off. |
PerryAW3 (63.138.185.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 7:07 pm: | |
Richard,
So sorry to read about your bus, she looked great in the photos I'd seen. Trust the insurance company will treat you fairly so you can move on to the next adventure. |
dougthebonifiedbusnut (24.62.99.43)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 8:19 pm: | |
Richard,
Cant add much,feel badly for you. |
Jim Stacy (12.87.110.131)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 9:04 pm: | |
Richard,
Sorry to hear your tale. Best of luck with replacement.
Jim Stacy |
Ted Elder (24.92.13.13)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 11:17 pm: | |
Hi Richard, So sorry to hear about your bus. Anyone who has or is putting the time/work and love into their conversion can imagine what it is like. Hope you stay in the hobby, cause we'll miss you if you don't. Ted |
David Anderson (168.215.176.170)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 11:56 pm: | |
Oh, it just makes me sick. It was a beautiful Eagle with a screaming 8v92. Please keep posting your great insights to our questions on the boards, even though you don't have a coach any more.
David Anderson |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.10.224)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 1:33 am: | |
Sorry to hear about your loss, Richard. You had a beautiful bus. Let us know if you figure a way we can avoid the same problem.
Steve Fessenden |
FAST FRED (65.154.177.161)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 6:14 am: | |
"The bus was plugged into AC power and the insurance investigators (and I) believe the fire started in an electric toe kick heater mounted in a cabinet beside the bed. The cabinet is completely gone as is the mattress and box springs. "
Would be informative to know why all of the safties failed.
Was the heater of such low quality that there was no overheat cut off ,
or was the wiring and fuse / circuir breaker system flawed?
Good equippment with good instalation & maint seldome causes FIRES. What happened?
FAST FRED
FAST FRED |
Craig S (68.218.67.128)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 9:41 am: | |
What an empty feeling I have after reading about your bus. I know you were contemplating selling DML. Sorry your busing ended not of your choosing. Please stay in the bus loop. Your knowledge, especially about generators, is very much appreciated.
Craig S. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:25 am: | |
Thanks everyone for your emails and posts expressing your feelings. It has been, and still is, a very traumatic experience. Really like the loss of a child. The outpouring of love that has gone into making her just the way we wanted her and the sudden loss is really overwhelming.
We are waiting for the adjuster to come this week and as many have advised I will contact my lawyer today.
I strongly suspect that it will be considered a total loss, but everything below the floor level and the overall skin and windows seem to be OK.
At my age, I do not plan on stripping the interior out and rebuilding. I have to believe that I would never get the Myrtle wood back to its original glory and some of the cabinets in the bedroom are destroyed. I suspect it would be impossible to find a source of replacement wood, as I have been told that all of the remaining Myrtle trees are now in National Forests in Washington State or Oregon. I do not know if the odor actually penetrates the wood itself.
As I find out more Information I will keep you advised. I know some are interested in the running gear or other parts, but I just can not provide any answers.
In the past, many have expressed the opinion that they would never have propane and are building an all electric coach for safety concerns. Let me tell those people that even building to the highest electrical standards, you still can have a devastating electrical fire and loose your lifelong dream.
Richard |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:38 pm: | |
Snip:
"Was the heater of such low quality that there was no overheat cut off ,
or was the wiring and fuse / circuit breaker system flawed?
Good equipment with good installation & maintenance seldom causes FIRES. What happened? FF"
Toe kick heaters were installed under the end tables at the head of the bed. The kids had the bus on a 5 day trip and used them continuously as the weather was below freezing most of the time. Had to run the genset also. Webasto apparently had a fuel filter problem. Bus was scheduled to go to Luke’s next week for full service.
Conversion was made by a predecessor of Marathon Coach and everything I have seen in it was of first class quality. No junk, no shortcuts and extremely high quality, from what I could tell.
I am not familiar with overheat cutoffs. It is impossible to determine if anything like that was part of the heater. Each heater was on a 20 amp circuit breaker and both breakers are tripped, although there is no indication that the other heater had a problem.
After the trip the bus had been cleaned out, bed made and everything put ship shape. Also all thermostats are always turned down, so the heater should not have been on. I was in the bus checking things out the previous evening and so was my son in law and neither of us heard the heater running, but it is possible it was on and the coach had reached the cut off temperature of the thermostat. No other clues or indications of what happened. There is a possibility that something was lying on the floor in front of the heater and that item got hot enough to catch fire. I really do not know if the heater puts out enough heat to catch something on fire like that. Also, since the end table cabinet and the cabinet directly above it were totally destroyed, it would appear that the origin of the fire would have been inside the cabinet, rather than external. I seriously doubt if anyone will ever know.
Richard |
Phil Dumpster (12.230.214.167)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 4:05 am: | |
Cofeemakers have a thermal fuse which is designed to open the circuit when the temperature gets above a certain point. Usually by that time the coffeemaker is reduced to a smouldering blob of plastic, but a heater should have a similar device. Not just a thermostat, but a fuse that actually blows and shuts the entire unit down until the condition causing the overheat is removed and the fuse replaced.
Square D Q0 breakers will open the circuit on either a current above the rated maximum, or if the breaker gets above about 160 degrees.
A good experienced fire investigator can usually pinpoint the cause of a fire in most cases, so hopefully you'll have some answers soon.
Man, I just can't get the mental image of those myrtlewood cabinets covered with soot out of my mind. Truly a horrid loss. |
t gojenola (24.237.70.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 2:53 pm: | |
Each of us should aquaint ourselves with the possibility of serious fire damage. My heart and sympathy go with this one as well. There were long discussions about a rash of bus fires some time back on this and some of the other boards, and I strongly recomend we all learn as much as possible about the problem, the causes and the prevention, and keep it all in mind as we progress through our conversions. And, here again, is the best place to start that I have found:
http://www.onnettomuustutkinta.fi/uploads/gvty79bpq89a.pdf
I hope everyone will download this very comprehensive document, print it out and study it thoroughly. Then keep it in mind - and keep it handy.
tg |
CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.87)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 7:09 pm: | |
I am so sorrry for you and the loss of your bus. The loss of all that work and time is surely devastating but no one was hurt. Perhaps you can salvage some of the equipment and commence building of another.
Now just a thought, but those 25-30 foot fiberglass shuttles seem perfect for those weekend getaways and because they are smaller, would be less time consuming.
None the less, this is certainly tragic news to hear about. I hope this does not lessen your enthusiasm for the hobby.I am deeply sorry to hear this kind of news for a loss of any kind. Keep your head up, remember, the glass is Half Full, not Half Empty. There is life after loss, just look toward the horizon and think of what can be, not of what was.
IMAGINE YOUR DREAMS - CoryDane |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 9:21 pm: | |
Thanks so much Cory, for your words of encouragement. It has certainly been one of life's more traumatic experiences.
Have not seen you post much lately. How is your conversion coming?
The smaller shuttles make a lot of sense. I was getting to the point that I was not using DML much due to the size and the limitations in the campgrounds here in WV.
Richard |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 9:26 pm: | |
So Richard,
Now that the shock has let up a little (I hope), what's next?
Are you going to buy another coach? Convert one? have one converted?
Gary |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 10:05 pm: | |
Wow. I wish I knew. We had been contemplating selling DML for two or three years, but just could never get around to actually deciding that we could part with her.
Since retiring and moving to WV three years ago, our desire to travel has really diminished.
We have traveled for the past 50 years, living in eight or ten locations throughout the US as well as a few years in Singapore.
For the past ten years we traveled extensively in DML visiting every state at least once and many of them several times. I commuted between offices in California and Florida for five years, using DML as a traveling office, so both my wife and I have just about had it with traveling.
My daughter and son in law want me to buy a trailer that we can get into the state parks in and we might do that, but really undecided as of now.
Richard |