In another thread, we were recently discussing emergency exits in RV's and how to have a plan, practice that plan, make sure everyone knows that plan and to inspect and assure exits are operational and functional.
What didn't come up in that discussion is detection equipment. Many threads on this forum have discussed the LPG detector and a number of members have expressed little knowledge of WHEN or HOW it works, and even if it is turned on or off when the "battery cutoff switch" is in the ON or the OFF position....
The local news just posted a report of a camper explosion in a local campground. The writer commented that the camper was destroyed and two people are in a local hospital, in critical condition. The explosion occurred about 6AM this morning. Speculation is that there was a propane leak, the husband got up to start breakfast and the explosion occurred when he attempted to light the stove....
https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/c...letter+July+31
The article doesn't state whether the "stove he attempted to light" was inside the RV, outside the RV and attached with a flexible hose (valve on/off) or if it was a "free standing LPG stove with a 1 pound bottle"...
I can see where any of those three could cause the explosion, I've seen a number of people leave their grill or Blackstone griddle connected to the trailer propane supply and leave that valve turned on. Any defect or leak in the actual grill, both ends of the flex hose or the valve in the connector could easily be leaking, maybe all night, collecting propane that isn't going to be detected "by the inside LPG detector which may/may not even be turned on"...
Whether we ever know "the way it happened or not", it's an opportunity for all of us to remember to check the LPG system in our RV, remember to turn off the "accessory valve" and disconnect the flex hose from outside appliances when not in use as well as a reminder to check the plan and the exit windows...