Not good - Seven burned in campfire blaze in NSW

[D4D]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8217057/seven-burned-in-campfire-blaze-in-nsw

Seven people have been badly burned, including a six-year-old boy, in a beachside camping ground fire on the NSW mid-north coast.

[Variflex]

Can be very easy to get complacent with camping gear, even when away from work we should still employ basic OH&S practices

[Gunna Do]

With my daughter away camping with friends on the NSW coast, this post sent a shiver up my spine, and I couldn't get the details up quick enough on the link.  All good though.  D4D can you give a more specific location next time please.

Tragic!

[Jon]

Be interested to follow this up.

Was it a disposable type canister or a proper refillable bottle that was leaking/malfunction?

I leak test all my gas connections every time I make them. Soapy water is your saviour.

[BigJules]

Friends of mine are at Plomer this weekend, but no kids.

Bad way to end a holiday, poor buggers.

[D4D]

D4D can you give a more specific location next time please.

Sorry 

[graylyn]

that is bad.  interesting to see how that happened?

[Patr80l]

The victims came from different places and "the fireball engulfed several tents".   Sounds like the victims may not have been from the same camp, so may not have had any control over the lack of safety.
That's what I like about bush camping.   No neighbours.

[Muso]

I like the idea of no neighbors too, but it was their neighbors who rushed to help.

[coffs camping]

Oh Dear. Very sad and so close to home in a spot we have stayed before. Safety first and a good knowledge of first aid are just the beginning ... God bless them all and their loved ones.

J

[austastar]

Hi,
  I wonder if it was gas leaking across the ground that flashed back when it hit the ignition source.

I have seen burns inflicted on a gas delivery chap, who had a leaky hose, and wasn't wearing his goggles and hood.
The gas in this case was ignited by the gas hotwater system burning a few meters down hill from the gas filling point - not a good design parameter for a  new installation.

I have also seen petrol fumes ignite 10 meters from the source of the liquid petrol when a fireman walked past down hill from the fuel source carrying his lit drip torch close to the ground. The petrol primed bon-fire was lit some what prematurely in spectacular fashion and could have resulted in nasty burns if conditions had been slightly different.

Nasty stuff is flammable fumes and ignition sources.

cheers

[alnjan]

Apparently there is a bit more of the story at present we are not being told.  It appears there was some sort of melee going on between some people and the gas bottle has inadvertently ended up in the camp fire causing the explosion.   Hopefully more of the story will come out.

[Patr80l]

I like the idea of no neighbors too, but it was their neighbors who rushed to help.

Fair point

[Redback]

A camp light was attached to the bottle and it was knocked over.

[DANBRI]

It's easy to become complacent with commonalities of camping, this is for all facets of life really.

I have a great respect for gas, petrol and electricity - I never forget how lethal these common things are.

I wish a speedy recovery to those injured. 

[Blinky Bill]

This has sent a real shiver up my spine. The news report of the injuries made it sound terrible and I hope the victims recover.

While the Missus and I have safety routines and practices for our gas & electricity, this accident has reminded me that we need to be always thinking about Safety, Safety, Safety when camping.

[Campa]

What a sad end to what should've been a great camping trip for a young family.
I wish a speedy recoverey to all involved.

[Barry G]

It is good practice to treat all fuels on the same basis as weapons.  (Basic weapons handling was one of the first OH&S procedures as far back as WW1, before anyone thought of that term.)
Fixed routine for set up, operation and turning off / dismantling.  Then all is good.
Agree with that 'soapy water is your friend'.  Used a squirt bottle on every set-up of the big trip.
Likewise, keep an extinguisher in close proximity.
No need to be scared, just 'regimented'.
When bushwalking I was always happy to cook with my shellite pressure stove in the door of the tent, but the pressure relief valve ALWAYS pointed out the open door.

[Old Croc + plus one]

Just returned from Sheepyard flat today and witnessed last night one bright spark showing his 3 boys how to start a fire with petrol if you have green wood  he nearly lost his camper I only hope his young boys never try it when he is away from his camp for some reason its not nice EXPERENCE to be First on the scene to a burns victim or Victims i CAN ASURE YOU

Safety First always 

[olddigger]

Respected poster on another site says local news reports claim an "altercation" resulted in the gas cylinder being kicked into the fire. Alcohol involved. The mind boggles.