A cookout gone awry on San Antonio's south side has led to an RV being declared a total loss and the external damage of two houses. KENS 5 reported that the incident occurred Tuesday night when a gas line broke as a woman was trying to cook a meal inside her RV. The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) was called to the 1200 block of Cantrell Drive at approximately 8:50 p.m.
According to the battalion chief at the scene, the gas line failure created a flash fire which managed to quickly singe the woman’s hair, prompting her to swiftly escape the RV. Despite the rapid spread of flames, "The fire spread to two neighboring homes but officials say the damage was mostly contained to the outside," according to KENS 5. One individual was treated at the scene for minor burns and another for injuries sustained from a fall, though neither required hospitalization.
The fire crews were able to control the fire before it could infiltrate deeper into the neighboring homes. All residents were able to escape without serious harm. "All of the residents were able to escape from both houses," confirmed the SAFD via KSAT. A detailed damage estimate for the affected homes has not been released, but the RV was considered beyond repair.
Fire investigators remained on the scene to more thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire. While the external damage to the homes was readily apparent, it may take to time fully assess the extent of the harm inflicted by the flames. "Fire investigators were at the scene investigating," as noted by KSAT. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of gas-powered appliances and the importance of caution when operating them in close proximity to residences.
