The video above shows a bus that caught on fire in the Netherlands. The driver and passengers attempted to put it out, but it spread too quickly and they all evacuated safely. The bus was powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) stored in multiple cylinders on the roof. As the bus burned, the pressure in the CNG cylinders increased until the pressure relief valves opened, venting the tanks. As you can see, the venting gas burned very impressively, shooting flames horizontally.
If the pressure in the tanks had not been released, there could have been a BLEVE, or Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, which can be lethal to personnel over a large area.
It appears that the Netherland safety personnel (and camera person) got away with this incident without injury or death. The history books are full of brave firemen trying to stop a Haz Mat incident without success. In April of 1973 a railroad box car loaded with bombs in the Roseville (Ca.) railroad switching yard caught fire which started a chain reaction incident that changed the landscape of Roseville. Emergency resources where almost immediately overwhelmed. Maybe that was a good thing, back-off. As the incident continued to expand (more box cars full of bombs and some L.P.G. tank rail cars) a Aero Union B-17 loaded with retardant arrived on scene. The idea was to “insulate” those box cars and L.P.G. tankers in harms way. The B-17 orbited at a safe distance as more explosions occurred. Another good decision, release the B-17 back to Chico loaded. The incident stabilized after hours of explosions and fires. Certainly there must have been many railroad workers and firemen heros that day, but most importantly no one was killed.
B.L.E.V.E. In this case it appears everyone is tooooo close. If there is a hospital or occupied school across the street then maybe we should start flowing water, lots of water; knowing as a fire fighter this could be the last few minutes of your life. Otherwise let the bus burn. It is now the property of the insurance provider. Kill yourself for an insurance company, I think not. How about the thumb rule, plus another quarter mile away from the incident. Remove everyone from the circle of danger quickly. Now go get a cup of coffee, relax, the bus (melted mass) will be a lot safer when you get back.
Excactly Johnny C. nothing but stuff keep people safe. Back in the 90’s Redmond, Or. had a slaughter-house set on fire by ALF- trouble was there was a CNG dealer sitting next door (not sure that wasn’t planned btw.) As the thing burned the 20,000gal,full CNG(or Propane) tank started to get close to the fire Redmond FD parked themselves between the fire and the tank, put it out, but ,if that thing went off, there wouldn’t have been much left of that part of Redmond..
Yup
In the new zeal for “natural products” to propel old fuel guzzling, carbon producing (diesel and gasoline) vehicles, come new and ever present dangers
YAAAAAAY!!