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acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:59 pm
by Anonymous_h
As some of you may know I am a fire investigator in my life away from cubs - the other day while working a scene I snapped this photo of an M size acetylene cylinder that was exposed to heavy fire in a detached shop. This obviously exploded and I found it 120' from the area of origin. It is constructed of 3/16" steel - just thought it was interesting as many of us have welding / cutting outfits in our shops.

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:26 pm
by RaymondDurban
What was the cause of the fire?

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:39 pm
by Anonymous_h
RaymondDurban wrote:What was the cause of the fire?


Improper use of an electrical space heater (sorry but I have to be careful about going into detail)

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:46 pm
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
There was a fire at a plant gas plant in St. Louis a few years ago, they filled all types of gas bottles there. some of the acetylene bottles were found a few blocks away.

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:42 pm
by Tezell
Wow!

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:29 am
by Steve Butram
that looks like a BLEVE !It would have been Cool to see it fly through the air. Just kidding :lol: I am also in the fire fighting business and have seen afew cylinders BLEVE it wasn't a pleasant feeling but it was funny later.

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:46 am
by Stanton
John *.?-!.* cub owner wrote:There was a fire at a plant gas plant in St. Louis a few years ago, they filled all types of gas bottles there. some of the acetylene bottles were found a few blocks away.


I remember that. Think they said bottles were shooting up like rockets landing blocks away from the explosion/fire.

Re: acetylene cylinder exposed to heavy fire

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:22 am
by Super A
homstead wrote:As some of you may know I am a fire investigator in my life away from cubs - the other day while working a scene I snapped this photo of an M size acetylene cylinder that was exposed to heavy fire in a detached shop. This obviously exploded and I found it 120' from the area of origin. It is constructed of 3/16" steel - just thought it was interesting as many of us have welding / cutting outfits in our shops.


I am going to save this picture for when we go over shop safety in class.....

Al