Motorhomes and the risk of fire outbreak
Dear Editor,
I read with interest your feature on illegal parking of motorhomes in Rosses Point and Mullaghmore (Sligo Champion Tuesday July 24th July). I am a retired fire service and security officer and I find it hard to understand why many motorhome owners park illegally.
After buying a house, this for many is the next largest investment and why park up and run the risk of being robbed or having your vehicle vandalised?
One major point is the manner motorhome owners park when staying overnight in car parks or closes to some beaches. There is a very important rule, for parking motorhomes or caravans and it is the 6 metre rule formally the 20 foot rule. This means vehicles must be 6 metres apart in case of one of the vehicles catching fire. In my career I have seen various tests being carried out in a controlled environment where an old caravan was set alight.
Within five minutes it was well ablaze and within fifteen minutes it was burned out, a major problem is having one or maybe two propane gas cylinders in the vehicle. Most insurance companies will not pay out for damages if another vehicle catches fire and your vehicle is less than 6 metres form the burning one. (Name and Address with editor)