On fire!

[IamJean2]

(Sorry, can't figure out which subforum this should be in.) Awakened by passerby shortly after 2 a.m. because trailer - mostly the cover - in flames. Parked on our front driveway, winterized and covered, plugged in to double surge-protected shore power, battery removed to prevent theft (again). Firemen say probable arson as have a local arsonist setting spot fires and after inspecting jack do not believe it started the fire. I've attached a couple pics.

Because the jack is so damaged, from your view is it possible that it was, indeed, the jack? I couldn't find any reports of Lippert jack fires in an internet search. And if it was the jack, do I need to have all the trailer wiring inspected?

Thank you in advance for any insight.

 

[U.S.ArmyVeteran]

The Fire Department should be the experts.

Was the cover draped over the jack?
Does the jack have a built in light? That may have been left on?

My guess it was the jack. D

As I recall we have at least one Fireman on here. We will get an expert opinion.

Good Luck

 

[AZ Pete]

If your jack is like mine, there would be no power to it with the battery removed. Trust the F.D. unless you have solid evidence that contradicts their assessment.

 

[glen1971]

Can I ask, why leave it plugged in? If it was winterized and under a cover, I'm guessing you are not going out any time soon? If you're plugged in, and your charger is still outputting DC, and the battery is not connected, there may have been some heat generated through an improperly isolated battery lead. I'll emphasize it again MAY HAVE BEEN, as I'm not there and don't know what is turned off and what is still powerd up.

 

[Chuck_S]

Battery cables taped and separated? If the bare cables touch a lot of heat can be generated as well as a fire. Trailer moving in the wind can move them into contact if not well insulated.

I'm not sure why you have power running to the trailer in storage.

Does look like the jack caught fire. Not being a skilled arsonist I'm not sure how this could be done easily other than an electrical fire.

Propane on the trailer is an easy arson attack.

Please let us know the outcome.

-- Chuck

(Glen and were typing at the same time!)

 

[IamJean2]

More info:

Yes, the cover was over the jack.

No, the jack light was not on - both power and light buttons are still in the off position.

I keep the trailer on shore power because of an electric dehumidifier in addition to Dri-Z-Air. I'm in the way-too-soggy Pacific Northwest

I tape the battery leads with electrical tape when I remove the battery. I checked and the tape is still intact on all leads.

The first flames visible were on the bottom edge of the trailer cover. By the time I got off the phone with 911 (way too long because of multiple repeated questions by the 911 staff) and grabbed a fire extinguisher, the fire had climbed up the front of the trailer. Should have used the extinguisher first.

Fortunately no interior damage. Fireman used a heat sensor to be certain no fire in the walls or underbelly.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[TitanMike]

No expert here but if the fire had started IN the jack I don't think the wiring would still look as good as it does.

I'm voting with the FD on possible arson.

I'm also a WA resident and have been noticing an increase in arson fires, in our heavily populated counties, showing up on just about every evening and morning newscast.

Vacant buildings, apartment houses, and just a few out anything else that catches a firebug's attention.

 

[lbrjet]

I have no idea how it started, but I feel bad for you.

 

[DougW9876]

I agree with TitanMike, the wiring inside the jack cover looks to be in pretty good condition, if the fire started in there those wires should be melted more than they appear to be.

 

[Timtation1]

I think it appears to be spontaneous assisted combustion.

 

[glen1971]

On our last two power jacks, the power comes off the battery, through an inline fuse then to the jack. With your batteries unhooked, would there even be power to the jack?

With your trailer being plugged in, is your converter power shut off? That would be a good way to make sure there is no risk of exppsed DC wiring.

 

[BurnOut]

First of all, I am sorry to hear of your recent experience, regardless of cause, it’s trouble nobody needs.

I was fortunate enough to serve as a firefighter for 31 years, including an assignment as an arson investigator for a few of those. That being said, without being there to examine the scene first hand, my “opinion” is probably no more valid anyone else observing your photos.

With that disclaimer offered, I will say that if the fire started inside the plastic power jack housing, one would expect to observe (as mentioned previously) greater damage and mass loss (consumption) of the interior combustible components, unless the propagation of the fire was influenced by other factors, including wind, or ignitable fluids, etc.

Based on the single photo of the power jack (which isn’t enough to offer a truly valid opinion), the fire appears to originated outside of the housing, traveling from outside toward the interior, consuming more of the exterior than interior, mainly carrying on the fabric RV cover. The background information, including reports of recent arson fires in the area, should be considered only after all other accidental causes and hypotheses are ruled out. It’s too easy to jump to the “intention use of an open flame device” without consideration of all other potential causes.

With all that long winded “information”, I obviously can’t offer more information than anyone else online, I just hope you get the damage repaired quickly, and you avoid any additional issues in the future.

 

[elchilero53]

Glad you are ok and got the fire put out. If the FD said it was arson, they have good reason. Probably some firebug squirting Ronsonal lighter fluid on the front of the cover over the jack and flicking a BIC lighter. Happened to my folks one year when I was a kid. The firebug got a pile of newspaper, stacked it against the garage wall, squirted a little lighter fluid and set it ablaze. It had barely gotten going when a storm came over and produced a deluge that promptly put it out. We got lucky. Police and a fire marshal both said there was a firebug roaming the neighborhood.

You are right. I would have put the fire out first then called 911 (or had DW on with 911 while I worked on the fire).

 

[dward51]

Do you know the "passerby at 2am" who woke you up? That alone sounds a little odd to me. Also from your description the fire would have been very small when you first saw it, so even smaller when the "passerby" saw it to and then took time to wake you.

 

[NJKris]

Bottom edge of cover was on fire first you said. I would check wiring beneath tongue to look for any evidence that wiring was to blame. Absent that, probably arson. As others noticed, it seems that fire was external to jack based on appearance of wires inside.

 

[IamJean2]

On Fire!

NJKris: check wiring beneath tongue to look for any evidence that wiring was to blame Good idea! Plan to have the entire electrical system checked once insurance adjuster shows up and gives OK to start repair. Feel fortunate the fire didn't do more damage and no travel plans to cancel. Only grumble I have is my $500 deductible. I'll find out how good Good Sam RV insurance is.

And thank you everyone for all your input; your feedback really does help me cope, since I have no other trailer-knowledgeable person to ask. Couple details in response:

Timtation1: spontaneous assisted combustion Thank you! - I needed a chuckle.

Glen1971: Tech at the dealership said there is still power to this particular jack when no battery but plugged into shore power. Where is the converter and how do I tell if the power to it is off?

Burnout: Thank you for your service. A dangerous job!

Elchilero53 and Dward51: Good points. The person who stopped to help me said that as he went by, he saw the guy who pounded on my door throw something at the trailer, then flames, so turned around and came back. First guy backed out of my driveway and left. But I thought most arsonists like to stay and watch the effects, so I dunno.

Anyway - thanks again, everyone!

 

[glen1971]

Glen1971: Tech at the dealership said there is still power to this particular jack when no battery but plugged into shore power. Where is the converter and how do I tell if the power to it is off?

Your converter is where your breakers and fuses are. It should have a door that hinges open and reveals everything electrical. In there, there should be a breaker (AC side) for the converter to shut off the 12 volts it is producing. Or a fuse (DC side) for the jack. If you have a multi meter you should be able to see the DC volts go to zero if you flip the breaker. Hopefully they are labelled.

 

[NavyLCDR]

If you have a multi meter you should be able to see the DC volts go to zero if you flip the breaker. Hopefully they are labelled.

Or when the ceiling lights go out.

 

[sailorsam20500]

Just a thought, rather than powering the whole trailer, can you figure a way to directly plug in the dehumidifier???

 

[Axeman49]

Based on what I see the fire did not start in the jack. The wires are in to good a shape. Also if you notice the angle of the burn is going in not out of the jack. To me that means it burned outside in not inside out. Also don’t see any damage to your tank cover. Looks like the cover was the source and you hitch suffered damage do to the cover sticking and burning to the cover. The rest of the cover broke free and burned up the exterior. Based on the reported arsonist in the area that would be my probable cause. Not actually seeing the seen I couldn’t be certain.