Crews Battle Exploding Ammunition in Motor Home Fire

Man who attempted to fix mobile home before it caught fire transported to hospital

A mobile home containing ammunition and propane tanks caught fire in Oceanside Monday morning, pitting firefighters against explosions and stray bullets.

Crews responded to the fire at about 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Douglas Dr. and North River Rd. in Oceanside, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.

When firefighters arrived, the blaze was well-involved. Firefighters attempted to extinguish the fire with several hose lines, but the fire grew as a result of the large quantities of items inside the 24-foot-vehicle, authorities said.

In addition, the fire spread to ammunition and propane tanks inside the mobile home, setting off multiple explosions.

Several shell casings from the ammunition shot in the direction of firefighters, but no one was injured.

After about an hour of battling the flames and explosions, crews extinguished the fire.

Investigators later learned the man who owned the motor home was in the process of moving, and had packed all his belongings inside the home. As he was driving the motor home to his new residence, the vehicle stalled in the intersection.

Another man attempted to help get the motor started again by pouring gasoline into the carburetor. The vapors ignited and the man caught fire and ran toward his house about a half-mile away from the intersection.

Meanwhile, the driver of the motor home attempted to extinguish the fire, but it spread rapidly in the intersection and fire crews were called to assist.

The man who caught fire called 911 to request medical assistance. He suffered extensive burns and was airlifted to the UCSD burn unit.

The motor home was declared almost a complete loss, and about 75 percent of the belongings inside the home were destroyed as well.

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