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Re: Explosion Question
Posted by:
SJAvato (IP Logged)
Date: October 30, 2006 12:52PM
Gasoline vapors, like any fuel-air / diffuse phase explosion, can cause extensive damage to a structure. I've been involved in both vehicle and structure fires that were initially reported as "bombings" because of the amount of damage, but turned out to be gasoline fueled fire events. In one case, cinder block walls were blown outward and the roof upward (one of the "bad guys" was under the wall). There was no indication of a fuel gas leak and no blast seat, but plenty of gasoline. The fact that the firefighters did not smell natural gas, or even gasoline, after the fire is not unusual. The natural gas line valves being off may help to eliminate that as a source of fuel (although leaks before the valve are certainly possible.) Do you have access to an accelerant detection canine that might help you localize the best place to take samples from (assuming you can go back to the scene)?