OffGridInTheCity Build

OffGridInTheCity said:
That's the plan


We visited the 3 affected neighbors that border the back corner of our property and apologized and offered to help what we could that's not in conflict with insurance process. In my mind, things should be manageable but it's not up to me. Very different responses.

State Farm (home insurance) apparently doesn't respond over the weekend - national web portal only, filed the initial claim. Local agent didn't return a message. Fire dept concluded their investigation yesterday but advised against cleanup till State Farm decides if they want to do their own investigation.

It's a helpless feeling. And in the background, I feel like I've let myself and the idea of off-grid DIY down a bit. Tried to be safe with generator but didn't go far enough or succeed in the end.
Click to expand...
I feel sorry for you. I perceive you as very careful and conscientious who takes all kind of precautions. I hope you are all well and I hope the circumstances resolve themselves quickly.
 
Thanks for the kind words folks!

A neighbor about 100-150ft away took a short MP4 of flames in progress - all I'm getting is sound here in the post but it looks like you can download it to play if interested.


Here's a still from the clip above.
1712533526750.png
 
Last edited:
So sorry this happened to you, OGITC. You're certainly taking it better than most. I concur with the comments already made about your conscientiousness when it comes to safety, etc.

And on that note, your neighbors need to suck it up and take it at least as well as you have. Sometimes bad stuff happens. Maybe it's someone's fault, or maybe it's not. They weren't harmed. That's the end of the story for everyone but a Karen.

Cheers, John
 
Man, so sorry this happened and glad no one injured! Video played for me without downloading. You basically had a huge blowtorch on your solar array, I'm amazed as much is left as there is. In my mind house fires/propane accidents aren't that uncommon or related to DIY. If anything I think you are showing how much safer battery and electric is that combustion and pressurized/flammable energy!
 
bbbbrass said:
Man, so sorry this happened and glad no one injured! Video played for me without downloading. You basically had a huge blowtorch on your solar array, I'm amazed as much is left as there is. In my mind house fires/propane accidents aren't that uncommon or related to DIY.
Click to expand...
I have a different perspective on propane now. I found a few comments that basically said - it's "good news" when propane bottles vent and blowtorch as apposed to exploding. Yikes! With good news like that, who needs bad news.

I knew that propane would expand under heat - which is why I left extra room (didn't overfill). I knew that propane can vent under pressure - stored outdoors. I knew that bottles should be sheltered to keep temps down to 100F or lower - stored in the shade of my panels. So check, check, check, and check.

And I'm sure I read that propane should not be stored near flammable material... I didn't think of the outside of a shed as flammable but that was a mistake. I now understand that its proximity to flame that can cause heat, venting, and then blow-torch. A county worker said they can act as rockets on occasion as well - so they physically secure their bottles.

As part of rebuilding plans, I'm thinking something like this for propane storage to address my poor thinking.
1712765120392.png

bbbbrass said:
If anything I think you are showing how much safer battery and electric is that combustion and pressurized/flammable energy!
Click to expand...
Agree completely. Panels + electrical to code (conduit, metal boxes, breakers, UL/ETL equipment, ....) has very low relative risk.
 
Last edited:
I think this community have to appreciate how you share everything, lots of photos and always well documented!!
Thank you!

OffGridInTheCity said:
A county worker said they can act as rockets on occasion as well - so they physically secure their bottles.
Click to expand...
It is also important that they stay upright so the vapes are in the top of the bottle.

I remember from my childhood, we had big factory nearby where the roof caught fire. Some workers had left propane bottles on the roof. The next days, the investigators found bottles 200-300 feet away.
 
Wow don't know what to say. I am glad you and any others where not hurt.
Keep the faith, sometimes if you want to make an omelet you got to break a few eggs.
Not much of a condolence however hindsight is always 20/20.
Thanks for sharing this eye opening experience and I wish you the best.
Having gone through a small house fire way in the past, nothing compared to this,
just a small shed with paint cans, I do know how disruptive this can be.
Besides all the I told you so's.................

Best

Wolf
 
Update ~2 weeks post fire. The raw trauma of waking up to massive flames is fading a bit thank goodness.

Discovered more neighbor damage than originally thought. In addition to the gazebo, the pool liner/cover was melted! The IAAI Professional Fire investigation has finished and I got the go ahead to start cleanup last Tue. Investigator/Insurance has decided it's not arson or fraud but not sure what they will determine as far as liability. Most likely cause - DIY generator exhaust thimble (thru shed wall) was not adequate and allowed charring over the last year+ culminating in -> smoldering fire in the wall.

Some details.....
- US Home Insurance will pay neighbor damages depending on my liability and to what degree. If I'm not liable, then neighbors must get their own Home Insurance to pay damages.

- Shop vacuumed the back yard/grass to get glass shards up - little pieces of solar panel wafer materials are *everywhere* and a few larger glass pieces.

- First up is fence rebuild to restore privacy and security for the property + cleanup bit by bit is underway.

- I didn't understand till now how fire soot/smell infiltrates *everything* in the fire area. Even things untouched physically in the shed reek of the smell. For example, some storage tubs still give off an odor after detailed cleanup with soap and water.
1713569936130.png
 
Last edited:
OffGridInTheCity said:
I didn't understand till now how fire soot/smell infiltrates *everything* in the fire area. Even things untouched physically in the shed reek of the smell. For example, some storage tubs still give off an odor after detailed cleanup with soap and water.
Click to expand...
Yup. And it may literally take years for the smell to fully be removed, depending on how well the material "absorbed" the smoke into its tiny pores.

OffGridInTheCity said:
If I'm not liable, then neighbors must get their own Home Insurance to pay damages.
Click to expand...
Keep on eye on this one, as it may still be possible for the neighbors insurance company to sue you. Hopefully this won't happen, but just be prepared for it if it happens. As a safe guard, you might want to already be looking at a lawyer just in case things go south. Again, hopefully nothing comes of it, though.
 
Korishan said:
Keep on eye on this one, as it may still be possible for the neighbors insurance company to sue you. Hopefully this won't happen, but just be prepared for it if it happens. As a safe guard, you might want to already be looking at a lawyer just in case things go south. Again, hopefully nothing comes of it, though.
Click to expand...
Yes sir, been thinking the same thing - especially these days. However, State Farm has a good reputation and I discovered I have 300K liability which is supposed to cover things like this. Fortunately there were no injuries to people or pets and no one's home caught on fire - it's 'just' property damage that can be repaired and that should help keep temperatures lower. Have done reach-outs to the neighbors to ask how they're doing - at least they aren't yelling or glaring at me.

State Farm is not answering questions except that my losses (as apposed to neighbors) are still covered to policy limits. They did say they would share with me what they determine (e.g. liability for example) once they make their decision on how to approach the neighbor claims.

Google is completely silent / useless on all this.

Will update as things happen.
 
Last edited:
Is State Farm the insurance of both properties?? If so, then you probably won't get sued, tbh. Not profitable to sue yourself, ya know?? :LOL:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top