Time and time again, as a young pyro maniac, I was told never to play around with gasoline. Naturally, when dad went inside the cup of gasoline went right into the fire. As a more mature stovesman my pyro days have been quite more safe than the days of old. Recently, while splitting at a friends house, there was a gas can about 8 feet away from the fire pit. Somehow, that gas can exploded. We did not think it was possible to ignite the can since it was that far away. Gas is no joke!!!!! Never have it out when there is a fire anywhere near!!!!!! Attached are some before and after pics of the "split heard around Long Island". Luckily no one was injured!
True story. After a while I guess you can become complacent and not even think about it. It was about 8 feet away and the fire was small. Lesson learned.
The neighbor behind us has a large field. One summer day he was trying to burn some stumps and the fire kept going out. He had thrown a half pail of gasoline on it but apparently there was no open flame to start it. I was watching from our upstairs window as he lit a gas soaked rag on a stick and advanced on the pile. What I could see, and he could not, was a ripply wavy front of gas fumes spreading out low to 20 ft. from the still hot pile. I opened our window to holler at him just as the gas fumes ignited with a huge WHOOSH and tossed him 10 ft. backwards. Fortunately he was only singed but not otherwise hurt! Possibly the fact that I had opened our window saved it from breaking. I had a graphic object lesson in how far fumes can travel. I am glad no one was hurt and no greater damage was done at your friends house. Also very glad you survived your youth... as I did. Been there, done that, have the T shirt!
Good warning, and good follow up post's, we ALL need to keep this in mind when it comes to handling gas of any kind.
Correct, even intestinal gas. My buddy Joe lit one up one time. Ever since then I have an irrational fear of nuclear warfare.
That must have been exciting! Sometimes one is lucky to watch; sometimes someone is unlucky to have it happen to them. I once got a fire on the top of a 5 gallon can. Scared me half to death but I got it out rather than try to run. Lucky, I think. That was in my youth when I could move fast.
We were splitting at a buddies house. Burning all of the scraps that were coming off of the splitter for the most part.
I thought those EPA mandated "safety" cans couldn't leak gas fumes. Glad everyone is ok Stoveaclaus ! Seen the big ring of fire myself, fortunately from a distance. Knocked two guys right over. Bad plan.
I was not there when it exploded. I had left an hour before after a nice day of processing. A stoves man never rests.
Another consideration is that outdoor fires should be 50 feet from a structure. That pit us way to close
