Propane Refrigerator Causes Fire and Smoke Damage to RV

Location: Oliver

Regulated industry sector: Gas – Propane System

Incident overview

Inside a recreational vehicle (RV), a propane refrigerator with an electrical element was being used on the propane setting. As the propane burner operated, heat from the combustion chamber melted through wire insulation and caused an electrical arc that burned a hole through the combustion chamber wall. Hot flue gasses escaped from the hole, causing flammable material nearby to catch on fire.