Multiple RVs Require Commercial and HAZMAT Assignment

At 2230, Units from Stonewall, Manassas City, and Evergreen were dispatched to Box 1123, for a reported truck fire at 10850 Balls Ford Road. Callers reported two large recreational vehicles on fire at the rear of an RV dealership. While responding, units were advised that callers were reporting one mobile home had exploded. E511B requested a third engine due to a long split lay required to reach the rear of the lot, plus T511 for possible exposure protection. Battalion 501 also requested a rescue squad. On arrival, E511B dropped a line from the entrance to the dealership and laid 850 feet in, stopping well short of two fully involved RVs. With multiple additional RVs exposed, E511B's officer requested the assignment upgraded to a commercial box. AC508 arrived on the scene and established command. E501 arrived and laid an additional 300 feet to a hydrant across Balls Ford Road.

E511B's crew stretched a 300' 3-inch leader line toward the scene and extended a 100' high rise rack to begin fire attack. As E511B's crew stretched their line, a chemical tank on board one of the RVs BLEVEd. Command did a PAR check and confirmed that E511B's crew was OK. At that time one or more onboard propane tanks overpressurized and vented, creating a blowtorch effect in between the two RVs.

E501's crew followed up with a second high rise pack from the leader line, then stretched a 2-1/2 to assist with extinguishing the heavy fire. Smoothbore nozzles were used to maximize reach, keeping crews back from the venting propane tanks. E511B's officer requested a HAZMAT assignment to deal with the propane leaks. T511s crew went to work opening up windows and access points to the RVs, allowing hose streams to penetrate in to the seat of the fire. C501 arrived and was assigned as the Safety Officer.

E525B arrived and was established as the RIT, setting up behind the cover of some nearby RVs. R504 assisted T511 in making access points. E504B arrived and found another hydrant for a secondary water supply. The crew was brought up in relief of E511B and E501, and they continued to work on extinguishing hot spots. As the fires were brought under control, RS504 used multi-gas monitors to survey the area for any continued leaking propane. Finding none, the HAZMAT assignment was returned. T511's crew made entry into one of the RVs to extinguish remaining fires.

Command declared the fire under control at 2311. Units remained on scene until 0108 overhauling, assisting the Fire Marshal with the initial investigation, and picking up equipment. The cause fo the fire is under investigation.