So we had an explosion this morning.

[suejai]

We felt a great big bang, but couldn't tell where it had come from. I called the Town office ( I used to work there) to find out if they had heard anything. Apparently someone on an acreage not too far from my house started a fire using gasoline which created a fireball/explosion. I guess they felt the blast at the town shop as well, which is 1/4 mile away. There are now big ash flakes falling from the sky and I can see the flames over everyones garages. They must be at least 20-30 feet high. This is within the town boundaries, where we have a bylaw against burning anything but very small fires in your backyard - I know because I wrote the bylaw. The thing that really bothers me is that the Fire Chief doesn't seem to think this is a big deal. He said he doesn't see the need to check it out, or to speak with the landowner regarding the use of gasoline in starting fires. Now, the town manager may see things a little differently and make him go to at least look at it, but that is what I heard the Fire Chief say. Just to clarify the location of this fire, it is within approximately 50ft of two rows of houses. I just think the Fire Chief is being a bit lax.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm guessing nothing important to the fire chief or any of the firemen - station, homes, etc., - is within the danger zone if, say, a sudden high wind should swing in?

 

[suejai]

I'm guessing nothing important to the fire chief or any of the firemen - station, homes, etc., - is within the danger zone if, say, a sudden high wind should swing in?

Well there are houses quite nearby. However, I had to drive by the area to go pick up my son and the place the guy is burning is actually fairly safe. So the actual fire, now that it's died down a bit, isn't really an issue so much. The part that got me was the cavalier attitude of the Fire Chief. If he had said, "yeah I've taken a look and it's fine" that would be great, no problem. Maybe he knew about it already and just didn't say. Plus I still think the guy was an idiot for using so much gasoline that it shook buildings a 1/4 mile away. I'm not hyped up about it, I just found the lack of concern a bit odd.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just to clarify the location of this fire, it is within approximately 50ft of two rows of houses.

Wow. Here in Tacoma you can't even have chickens closer than 50 ft to any residences, without getting special, written, permission from the neighbors...let alone start big fires that cause explosions! My friend-the-city-planner (who just shared the chicken thing on FB) would have a similar problem as you are with the fire chief!