Car modeler burns his house down

[sjordan2]

From the local news in today's Knoxville paper:

"An explosion touched off when spilled paint was ignited by a gas pilot light in the Leach Lane blaze at Antoni Hipp's residence. Hipp said he was mixing paint for model cars when he spilled some in a back room and was cleaning it up when it exploded. Hipp said he was unsuccessful in trying to put the fire out with an extinguisher, according to the sheriff's department report."

The home was destroyed, according to reports. In the 100+ degree temperatures, several firefighters who had to battle two different blazes at the same time were treated for heat exhaustion.

Edited July 7, 2012 by sjordan2

[mnwildpunk]

My question is why was he mixing paint near a potential ignition source? It's always sad to hear about someone losing a house to fire.

[1930fordpickup]

The most important thing is that everyone is OK after the blaze.

I think it was just the (it will never happen to me )thought going through his head or just wanted to build in the air and did not give it a thought .

[High octane]

I hope he had his model kits insured as it's relatively cheap for a PAP (Personal Articles Policy) and while we buy a model kit here or there one would be surprised at how much MOOLAH they have tied up into their hobby. I used to spray paint in the laundry room which also had the furnace & hot water heater located nearby, but not any more as I gave up on that idea a few years back.

[slusher]

Sad news and l am glad no one was hurt but a terrable loss....Slusher

[sjordan2]

^{I just wonder what specific materials he was using.}

^{Wondering about fire hazards, one of the oddest things I've seen is series of Japanese car modeling videos on YouTube, hosted by a master modeler. He paints in his lap, basically - sitting at his workbench, holding the model in one hand while he sprays with the other - while he has a cigarette dangling from his mouth.}

[rmvw guy]

My question is why was he mixing paint near a potential ignition source? It's always sad to hear about someone losing a house to fire.

..........I have done the same thing for years untill, it was pointed out to me on this Forum after I posted a picture on workbenches. Although, parking a car, full of gasoline in a garage with a potential ignition source dosen't make much sense either. I once filled the tank on my '77 VW Bus and found gas all over the garage floor the next morning from expantion in the tank. Fortunately it did not ignite. After that I ceased the practice of topping up the tank to the max.

[Casey]

My question is why was he mixing paint near a potential ignition source?

Soemtimes people have a little too much confidence in their spray booth's ability to evacuate all paint and vapors when it's located next to or very near potential igntion sources, like a furnace and water heater

[JamesW]

Soemtimes people have a little too much confidence in their spray booth's ability to evacuate all paint and vapors when it's located next to or very near potential igntion sources, like a furnace and water heater

I was thinking the same thing when I seen Eelco's setup. I hope that's not the permanent location for his booth.

[rel14]

Hmm, seeing my house has no value anymore...NO i cann;t LOL

[Harry P.]

Sounds like he was painting a little too close to the still...

[Bad Brad #2]

You don't think he made up the model car story to cover up the fact that it was his meth lab that exploded do you ? NAAAA, that would NEVER happen in TN.

[sjordan2]

You don't think he made up the model car story to cover up the fact that it was his meth lab that exploded do you ? NAAAA, that would NEVER happen in TN.

True, Tennesseans have stepped into the higher technology of the 21st Century, and now have many fewer moonshine stills. But we still know what do with paint in a paper bag. Think about it...

Edited July 7, 2012 by sjordan2

[diymirage]

I was thinking the same thing when I seen Eelco's setup. I hope that's not the permanent location for his booth.

dont worry guys, it isnt , we had just moved in and put everything where there was room

the paintbooth will mostl likely move to the opposite side of the room, near the fuse box

as a mather of fact, there isnt even an outlet on that side of the room

thought to be honoust, im wondering if i should build a closet for that heater now?

[Danno]

From many years of investigating fires and explosions, high on my list of personal favorites were all the motorcycles that were torn down in living rooms and parts washed in gasoline in the utility rooms ... near the water heaters ... until *BOOM* ...

[Ace-Garageguy]

So do you mean I shouldn't wash my car parts in gasoline in front of the fireplace in the winter? It's always been so cozy and warm.

[diymirage]

You don't think he made up the model car story to cover up the fact that it was his meth lab that exploded do you ? NAAAA, that would NEVER happen in TN.

that reminds me of a story i heard from a guy i know

said his cousin (who lived out near the woods) had sustained 3rd grade burns pouring gasoline into his 4 wheeler

i lust laughed at him and told him "no way, he was prolly coocking up meth and blew up the garage"

you wont believe how mad the guy got that i dared accusing his cousin of something like that

i few days later he had to appologize to me because the docters aswell as the cops thought my version of the story was a lot closer to the truth the his 4 wheeler idea

[62rebel]

i read something else into the article.... how a person with a simple hobby like building models managed to burn his house down and endanger the lives of his neighbors and the firefighters with a mistake in judgment that he should have known better about....

it's already becoming very difficult to obtain quality paint and related chemicals in many places; just imagine the knee-jerk reaction legislators will have (insurance underwriters too) when they realize how many of us have workbenches loaded with explosives!!!

the reporter more than likely shares the myopic view of many who think we all "play with toy cars", and wanted to emphasize how silly and ironic it was that this guy's "toys" caused his house burning down.

elsewhere there's a thread on whether this hobby will outlive us.... not if THIS kind of stuff happens very often. the inusrance industry will get our policies revoked if they find out we have paint and solvent in the house.

[signguy2108]

Seen a guy pouring 114 race fuel in a vega bracket car one time. Static electricity set off an explosion, second degree burns and burned the car to the ground! By all means BE CAREFUL!

[sjordan2]

i read something else into the article.... how a person with a simple hobby like building models managed to burn his house down and endanger the lives of his neighbors and the firefighters with a mistake in judgment that he should have known better about....

it's already becoming very difficult to obtain quality paint and related chemicals in many places; just imagine the knee-jerk reaction legislators will have (insurance underwriters too) when they realize how many of us have workbenches loaded with explosives!!!

the reporter more than likely shares the myopic view of many who think we all "play with toy cars", and wanted to emphasize how silly and ironic it was that this guy's "toys" caused his house burning down.

elsewhere there's a thread on whether this hobby will outlive us.... not if THIS kind of stuff happens very often. the inusrance industry will get our policies revoked if they find out we have paint and solvent in the house.

1. Legislators in Tennessee will take no action for anything less than an alien invasion. If that.

2. How on earth can you read anything into this story about the reporter's point of view? Please supply a quote; I reprinted everything from the paper.

Edited July 7, 2012 by sjordan2

[Ace-Garageguy]

You've got people who can hurt themselves with a wiffle ball, and you've got people at the other end of the spectrum who can juggle running chainsaws, while drunk, and never get a scratch. Unfortunately (IMHO) the lowest-common-denominators seem to eventually be the ones the world gets changed for. Rather than requiring people to actually control their vehicles, we have air bags, back-up monitors, car-following radar, automatic-parking, ad nauseum. I'm sure, frankly, that if my insurance company knew I had probably a gallon or more of toxic, flammable and potentially explosive chemicals in the model shop, they'd cancel me. Those things are just so DANGEROUS !!! Yes, if one is an idiot.

By the way, is it currently legal for aliens to invade Tennessee?

[sjordan2]

You've got people who can hurt themselves with a wiffle ball, and you've got people at the other end of the spectrum who can juggle running chainsaws, while drunk, and never get a scratch. Unfortunately (IMHO) the lowest-common-denominators seem to eventually be the ones the world gets changed for. Rather than requiring people to actually control their vehicles, we have air bags, back-up monitors, car-following radar, automatic-parking, ad nauseum. I'm sure, frankly, that if my insurance company knew I had probably a gallon or more of toxic, flammable and potentially explosive chemicals in the model shop, they'd cancel me. Those things are just so DANGEROUS !!! Yes, if one is an idiot.

By the way, is it currently legal for aliens to invade Tennessee?

I can't divulge that. The Tennessee legislature's latest accomplishment is to approve a sixth official state song (I kid you not). But I can suggest that you look beyond Tennessee to those who are sitting in the U.S. Congress. Clearly, their intent is to destroy democracy as we know it by making sure nothing happens, and open the gates to subjugation by the warlike race of Baldor (second star to the right, and straight on until morning).

Edited July 7, 2012 by sjordan2

[62rebel]

what i take in from what i read is subject to MY interpretation of the story as given. i tend to be pretty skeptical of journalists as a rule.

[sjordan2]

what i take in from what i read is subject to MY interpretation of the story as given. i tend to be pretty skeptical of journalists as a rule.

And not very good at reading.

[Brizio]

Probably he want paint a flame job on a model...

Glad nobody was injured!