St. Tammany News

Trailer fires continue to occur

Just as 80-year-old Rowena Smith nestled into her couch to watch her favorite soap opera last month, the slow popping sound began.

Rowena Smith's freezer caught fire recently inside her camper trailer. There has been a recent outbreak of camper trailer fires in St. Tammany, some being fatal. (Photo Submitted)

Puzzled, she looked toward the walls, then the ceiling, then the floor. What was it and where was that coming from?, she asked herself.

Suddenly her TV zapped off, the lights flicked off and her microwave shorted. It was an electrical surge that caught her freezer on fire. She jumped. Stunned and confused, she didn't know what was going on.

"I was afraid the whole place was going to blow up," she said. "I jumped. It scared me. I didn't see any smoke, but then again I didn't realize the freezer was on fire."

Some never do.

Smith, like many others who've experienced recent outbreaks of fires or power shortages, are worried that campers are risky to live in, especially when multiple appliances are on at once.

In St. Tammany, at least three trailers have caught fire or exploded in the past couple months, one of which killed John Meyer, a Pearl River man who lit a cigarette in a trailer with a gas leak. An explosion followed, sending he and his wife to a burn center in Mississippi. Six days later Meyer died from severe burns over 40 percent of his body.

The problem is not unique to St. Tammany Parish. Several other trailer fires occurred in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and another four in Terrebonne Parish, where it's estimated 700 trailers are placed. One local fire chief said he's heard the number of trailer fires has topped 40 within Louisiana, though the state Fire Marshal's Office does not have a current count.

Many reasons have surfaced as to why FEMA trailers seem prone to power surges and fires, but two elements are the most consistent: The campers are built for temporary use, not the constant wear and tear since Katrina, and many residents aren't educated on safety precautions.

"I feel its incumbent of me to tell the public what to do," said Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann of Fire Prevention District No. 1 in Slidell. "This is lifesaving."

Kaufmann said FEMA camper trailers aren't made for everyday use, but with more than 9,000 trailers in St. Tammany parish, accidents are bound to happen. Manufacturers typically design the electrical components and propane gas cylinders for a weekend trip, believing the trailer would be vacated for a while. Respecting both these facets could save a life, he said.

The problem is that state standards aren't placed on FEMA trailers as they are on the installation of regular mobile homes. For instance, unlike permanent trailers, FEMA trailers typically don't have a layer of gypsum wallboard between the living area and the bedroom that prevents fires from spreading.

Rattling off safety tips and checklists for more than an hour recently, Kaufmann said many occupants don't know how to live in confined spaces with limited electrical capabilities.

"This is not your home, and accidents can happen," he said. "But we want you to treat your trailer like your house. We want you to use the same safety measure you would there, probably more."

While it wasn't uncommon for pre-Katrina homeowners to run the TV, dishwasher, oven and washing machine all at once before Katrina, trailer residents simply don't have that option now.

It's too much for the circuits to handle, and most breakers will trip. However, that is what they're designed to do. It's a sign to quite using the socket. Some people become frustrated though, and over ride the circuits, which can have disastrous affects. Kaufmann warned against that.

"Our way of life is different now," he said. "Anybody that is living in a trailer will relate to what I am saying."

And not smoking inside a trailer, he said, is essential.

According to reports, Meyer ignored the smell of rotten onions for weeks thinking it might have been some food left on the counter. While his wife slept, he lit the cigarette. He was unaware a plume of propane gas had pooled inside the trailer. The explosion and Meyer's death rattled fire officials, who try to preach constant awareness "of the little things."

Kaufmann said propane gas typically doesn't smell. Manufacturers insert the odor to indicate a gas leak. Meyer smelled the rotted food odor but didn't realize he was living in a box of flammable gases.

If someone smells a foul odor, open the doors and windows for ventilation, Kaufmann said. If the odor continues, go outside and call 911.

"And if you're not sure what to do, don't hesitate. Step outside and dial," he said.

He added that a carbon monoxide reader and propane gas indicator are standard features in a trailer. Since propane gas is heavier than air it sinks, meaning the propane gas reader is typically located on floor level.

Check both of these as well as the smoke detector often. The smoke detector uses batteries that need replacing when it chirps, but the other indicators are powered by the trailer's battery, he said.

Because of the confined quarters and penchant to set off the smoke alarm when cooking, many residents tend to snap out the smoke alarm batteries. While Kaufmann understands doing this, he added it's crucial not to forget to replace them.

"That is the biggest thing," he said. "Putting back the batteries."

It's also easy to twist a stove knob to the on position when squeezing through to the bedroom or bathroom. This could cause a slow gas leak leading to an explosion. Routinely check them, he said.

Kaufmann also cautioned about cleaning stoves. It's easy to unknowingly unhitch the striker, which ignites the burners.

"If there's no immediate ignition after five minutes, turn it off for five more and try again," he said. "And always use a fireplace lighter if trying to ignite it, because you can ignite a pocket of propane in your face."

Kaufmann also said to ensure the propane tanks are properly secured and changed when needed. While this is typically not an issue for most adults, he said the handicapped and elderly might need help.

"We are a community that comes together," he said. "We have made more strides than some communities, and we need to keep it. If you can help, help your elderly neighbor. Adopt a neighbor. You can put these words how you want, but that's what we need to do."

Skip Smith, Rowena's son, thought the same thing when he heard his mom recall her story.

"If you have somebody in a wheel chair or a bed who is handicapped, they might not be able to get out in time,' said Smith, who was worried for his mom's safety until FEMA sent out re-inspectors. "We're lucky that at 80, mom is still able to get around."

Jolted off her sofa when she heard the popping noise, Rowena called her daughter-in-law, Mary, who lives a few doors down, to investigate. Mary ran next door, opened the trailer's rickety screen door and was blasted with a smoky whiff.

"Mom, something is burning in here," she told Rowena before cutting the circuit breaker.

Mary then sniffed around further, looking for the smelly cause.

Her nose pulled her toward the freezer. Puzzled, she opened it.

"Whomp, there it was," said Skip.

Mary nearly fell back as flames bounced inside, melting the ice, frozen dinners, meat loaf and water bottles, as they rushed outside.

"I'm OK, and FEMA has helped me get back home," Rowena said. "But if I can tell my story to make other people aware, that's all I want."