Updated at 11:45 a.m.
A dry radiator was blamed for starting a fire that destroyed a motorhome in Temecula Sunday.
The fire at 28755 E. Vallejo Ave. was reported at 10:31 a.m.
A Winnebago was engulfed in flames after owner Elind Galindo, 80, started it up and let it idle for an hour, he told Patch.
Two fire engines arrived on scene about 10:45 a.m., as Patch arrived at the site.
Galindo, who said he worked for the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 25 years, said the motorhome hadn't been used in a long time. When Galindo started it up to recharge the battery and move it away from his garage, it started faintly smoking, he said.
"Apparently the radiator was dry," Galindo said. "I saw fire and black smoke (inside the motorhome) and got out."
The vehicle was stocked with 25 to 30 gallons of fuel when it caught fire and he described popping sounds coming from its axle as it burned, Galindo said.
The man said firefighters were slow to respond to calls for help and didn't arrive until 15 minutes after the fire was reported.
Galindo said he tried to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose while awaiting help, spraying down the RV and trying to open its engine compartment to get water inside it.
"I was there for 15 to 20 minutes just throwing that water on," said Galindo. "I know the fire station was pretty close."
A firefighter declined to comment at the scene of the blaze and referred questions to the fire department spokesperson. The spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by phone.
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The owner of a motor home in Temecula expressed frustration after watching his RV burn to its frame Sunday.
The fire at Santiago Road, off Ynez Road, was reported at 10:31 a.m.
The first fire engine pulled up just as Patch arrived on scene, about 10>45 a.m.
Upset because it took the fire truck so long to get there.. I think, if he had followed all the "experience" he should have had, he would have checked to see if there was anything flammable under the hood after it sitting for a year, and then made sure he had his extinguisher (I know he has to have at least one in the house and one in each of his other vehicles) ready (just in case). From the sounds of this situation, I would have hated to wait for whatever fire department he worked for to arrive at a fire.. He sure doesn't seem to have learned much (trying to put out a vehicle fire with a water hose). Yes, there are three fire stations very close to where this fire was.. I wonder why it took so long for them to get there..
Common sense and 25 years experience in the fire department would tell him that water doesn't put out a vehicle fire and having the right fire extinguisher is the only way to "attempt" to put out a vehicle fire.. That's what fire extinguishers do, they put out fires.. or control a fire until the fire department gets there.. duh.. I figured someone else might be interested in pointing out that a dry radiator will eventually shut down the motor, not catch the vehicle on fire.. Even if it were out of oil, it would over heat, warp the heads, blow the head gaskets and shut down the motor, possibly seize up the motor.. But not catch it on fire.. I wonder if he had insurance on the motor home. I wonder if he had tried to sell it. It sat for a year, he starts it up and it catches fire.. In my opinion, under strange circumstances.. might just be an insurance scam.. just my opinion though.. Why would he suggest the radiator was dry.. that is an odd conclusion to come to. I would like to see what the investigation (if there is one) concludes..
You miss the point.. Are you a 25 year veteran of the fire department? If not, I guess your logic makes sense.. However, most people would first turn to their fire extinguisher and then get out of the rv.. Why have one if you aren't able to think of using it.. However, given the fact that the subject of fires and fire safety is drilled into the heads of firemen and in this case, 25 years worth... It is second nature (if not first) to have fire extinguishers readily available, have the mindset that when you see fire and smoke, get the fire extinguisher.. Then if it is necessary (being a fireman it would be necessary) use the fire extinguisher, not go get a water hose.. We are talking about a trained, 25 year veteran of the fire department. Not only A fire department but a large city fire department.. Oh, but I bet you make excuses for everyone and can't understand why others would question the actions of someone who claims to be a career fire department member.. Everyone working for the fire department learns fire safety.. Hello... is anyone there?
"A Winnebago was engulfed in flames after owner Elind Galindo, 80, started it up and let it idle for an hour, he told Patch." I also do not understand starting it then "When Galindo started it up to recharge the battery and move it away from his garage, it started faintly smoking, he said." So he started it, moved it from house, saw smoke, and THEN continued to let it smoke and run for an hour? Or I am just reading this whole thing wrong. Secrets I agree with you on starting a vehicle that HE cannot even remember the last time it has been run? The first thing you do is check the fluids as they dry up in a few months, and also you still have to watch for leaking gaskets even if new when you parked it as they still dry up and then leak out. Yes, one would think he would know better.
She doesnt sit for years and not get touched. Just saying.........Oh and I think it was a fireman that told me baking soda or salt for a fire in a vehicle was good too? Not sure if it was salt or something else, but he named a lot of remedies, and definately NOT water.
Not sure why he would keep 25-30 gallons of gas in it sitting right up to his house. Well if nothing else everyone reading this will learn alot on the storage of cars and restarting them after sitting for awhile. Thank GOD the owner, and his neighbors all were there trying to put it out for 14 minutes, and thank God it didnt go Kapoom, and everyone is ok.