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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 12, 2007 9:10:57 GMT 10
G'day All, I am still in shock so I apologise if this post seems incoherent at times. My partner and I turned the corner near our home on Sunday afternoon, to see this sight in our street ahead...  As we got closer we realised that it was outside our house, and that our garage was on fire...  Substantial damage has been done. The garage was absolutely crammed with boxes and boxes of belongings and other stuff, some of which is shown here...  From a caravan perspective, there were also many boxes of stuff that I'd accumulated over the last 18 months in readiness for the restoration of the two caravans. This is what a vintage toaster, jug, and 1954 saucepan set looks like now...  I'm shattered. We were only about a week away from having the new shed up (the contractors are outside assembling it as I type), and we were going to start moving all the stuff out of the garage and into the new shed. People have asked if we are insured (yes) and that luckily insurance will cover it. But how do you get compensated for the hours and hours spent tracking down 1950s memorabilia, and how do you get replacements? Anybody who has experienced property fires will understand the havoc they cause. We have many days ahead of us trying to salvage whatever we can, and disposing of whatever we can't. What the fire didn't get, the firies' water hoses got, and what the water didn't get, is covered in a layer of black soot and sludge. I also guess that anyone who has been involved in a fire will, like us, think that the most devastating loss is stuff like this...  I'd like to sign off with my usual "Cheers, Al", but I'm not feeling very cheerful at the moment, Al. ps. the caravans are fine, because they are parked in the backyard away from the garage (whew!) pps. the fire appears to have started from electrical wiring. (Not sure yet of the exact cause). |
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Post by jnigrelli on Sept 12, 2007 9:22:24 GMT 10
well, thank your stars you weren't caught up in the rubble. was probably time to give it a good dusting, anyways.
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Post by sportsman 1 on Sept 12, 2007 10:16:01 GMT 10
Hi Al,
terrible time for you. Fire and flood would be my worst fears, cant imagine how filthy the clean up would be in either case.
Could always have been worse, at least you were not hurt.
Look at the good side, now you have an excuse to go to lots of garage sales, op shops, etc.
Good luck with it, our thoughts are with you.
Leigh & Karon
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2007 11:24:47 GMT 10
Hi Al Sorry to hear this news   . You have mine and Trishas sympathy  . Very happy to hear that you, your family and your family home where not injured or damaged in this incident  . When you get depressed during the clean up and sorting out of whats left , turn and look at your family and say to yourself " It could have been a lot worse". Memerobillia will always be available at a price and can be readily found and replaced. .................Lives can't be replaced at any price Chin up old sox. Reddo |
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Post by cobber on Sept 12, 2007 12:10:34 GMT 10
That is a bugger Al, I’m sorry to hear it happened.
Were your collection of caravan related books (that you have always so been willing to share with others) in a safe place ?.
Cobber.
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Post by kingy on Sept 12, 2007 12:10:45 GMT 10
Terrible news Al, i can only imagine how you felt when you realised it was your place, could have been worse as they say - at least you don't have to sleep at in-laws place ;D and you still have a home, but even so, it's a drama we could all do without. Cheers Kingy |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Sept 12, 2007 15:14:07 GMT 10
hi al
that's bad news about the garage.
i guess you were lucky that the vans weren't involved in the fire.
best of luck re-finding the lost memorabelia.
geoff 'n jude
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 12, 2007 19:21:56 GMT 10
Having worked in insurance for many years in an earlier life, during which times I helped friends and parents whose house went under in the 74 floods here in Brisbane shovel out their interior, and cleaning up after another friend lost their house to a fire in Christmas week a few years ago, I have some understanding of what you are experiencing - apart from the whole feeling of loss. So sorry to hear and see about what has happened to you and wish you all the very best with reorganising yourself. Have always found it amazing where help comes from when you have such an experience. I am sure that we all on this forum will help in whatever way we can - just yell!!  All the best Ray |
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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 12, 2007 20:27:01 GMT 10
G'day again, I sincerely thank you all for your kind thoughts and wishes. This has been my first experience with property fire, so it has been quite an ordeal. No doubt we will recover from it, even though at the moment feelings are quite raw. It has certainly thrown my retirement master plan on its head...I really didn't envisage spending my days washing and drying hundreds of photos that have been salvaged from a fire. There are more challenges ahead, with the major salvaging and contents assessment starting next week. However, we look forward to better days down the track. The new shed is happening, and will hopefully be somewhat more fireproof than the garage. By the end of Day 1 of assembly today, we are well on the way...  Cobber, I'm desperately hoping all the books and paperwork associated with vintage caravanning is going to be ok. It was in boxes at the furtherest corner from the fire. The boxes are blackened with soot, but seem to be intact. I can't venture in there at the moment with so much mess in the way, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for awhile. Thankyou all again for your support. Onward and upward... Al. |
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Post by firefighter on Sept 12, 2007 20:47:23 GMT 10
  Hi Al What you are going through I have seen every day for 31 years with a bit of luck you will be able to replace most items family photos are a problem , maybe the family can supply some of these for copying good news that the vans were out side and away from the fire and are safe the main thing you and partner are safe ,you cannot replace life you seem to think it started in the wiring in the shed.  Al did you have a safety switch fitted in the shed  F/F 
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 12, 2007 23:25:04 GMT 10
Hi Al,
So sorry to read about the fire, but glad to hear that you weren't hurt and that your house is OK.
We'll be thinking of you as you go through the clean-up process. It's fantastic that the new shed is well on its way. Means you're not starting quite at square one.
Don Ricardo
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Post by cmcz on Sept 15, 2007 5:52:02 GMT 10
Hi Al
So sorry to read about the fire, you must be going through such a hard time at the moment. I can't imagine what went through your mind when you realised the fire truck was at your home. Good luck with the clean up. Tom and I have heaps of our gear in storage at the moment,in preparation for a move over the long weekend, so I have some small idea of your situation, box stacked on box of treasured memories and keepsakes. Keep your spirits up mate, our thoughts are with you and your family
best of luck
Cheryl
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Post by fbmad on Sept 15, 2007 9:36:27 GMT 10
Devastating , however, try to think of it this way.
You and your family are still all OK.
Most things can be replaced in time, lives can't.
Hope you can salvage those precious personal items from the mess.
I'm sure your new shed will have the best fire/electrical safety system available in light of what has happened to you.
All the best,
Terry.
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whippy
Full Member
"Twiggy" the Globetrotter
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Post by whippy on Sept 15, 2007 23:03:05 GMT 10
That's everyone's worst nightmare. At least the family is OK and that is real important. The most of the material things can be replaced but lives are a different story.
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Post by aussietanker on Sept 16, 2007 23:13:03 GMT 10
Just saw this post Al ....
i am so very sorry to read of this bad news ... while it is a relief to see that no one was hurt, it must still be quite devastating ... and i am sure that you are both experiencing some pretty raw emotions at this time ... i'm not sure that i can say anything else that can soften the shock of this event ....
as hard as it may be, keep your chin up and head clear ... rest assured that our thoughts and best wishes are with you ..
regards
A|T
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Post by tinnie on Sept 17, 2007 22:56:09 GMT 10
Hi Al,
Somehow missed this until now. Sorry to hear of the experience, but relieved to hear you and family are ok.
Perhaps fate did you a favour not being home? I have heard of people suffering nasty injuries trying to rescue possessions from fire, as I am sure F/F would attest to.
Whilst it won't seem like it now, as time progresses this experience and the losses will fade. I agree unfortunately that photos are a tragic loss.
Chin up, the Franklin's safe at least - that would be irreplacable.
Cheers,
Mark
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lulu
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Post by lulu on Sept 17, 2007 23:39:35 GMT 10
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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 18, 2007 21:50:08 GMT 10
G'day All, The shed is now constructed, with electicals and water tank still to finish it off...  It is now being used to temporarily store salvaged items out of the garage. Two building assessors have given their opinion that the garage will need to be demolished and rebuilt. The salvage team commenced their work today, and will go for a couple more days. It's amazing how smoke and soot gets into EVERY nook and cranny. Open the lid on a toolbox, pull the tray out, and the tools in the bottom are covered in soot. You think, "How the heck could it get all that way into a closed toolbox?!!" So there is much cleaning to be done on anything that hasn't burnt or melted. However, I'm thrilled about the new shed. It was expensive, but considerably cheaper than a unit in a retirement village , so it's a much cheaper way for me to spend my retirement. The first two bays on the left are for the caravans, so if you're looking for me, that's where you'll find me... Thanks again for all the kind words. You guys are a great bunch of people to hang out with ;D ;D cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2007 7:16:40 GMT 10
Hi Al Veeeerrrryyyyyy Flash "All Australian Boys need a shed.... or 2... or 3 .. or 4 ;D" Just one thing worries me . Looks like you are going to have to remove the wheels off the van to get her under the carport and through the roller doors. Pleased to hear that most of your "Treasures and artifacts" where saved from the inferno. Know what ya mean about rubbish getting into everything. I am still finding tins and tubs tucked away in sheds that are still half full of water from the June floods. Retiring to the shed ..... Something i have been practising for every night for the past 50 years Glad to hear all is on the mend. Reddo. |
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lulu
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Post by lulu on Sept 19, 2007 11:26:45 GMT 10
THAT SHED is seriously Well Done Al, Im so pleased it's finally constructed (& the council approved it) looks brilliant and you'll have a lot of fun setting things up in there. Dont forget the essential sofa bed lounge and bar fridge..a must for any shed dweller..hehe LuLu
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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 19, 2007 20:58:43 GMT 10
Reddo old son, worry no more about the clearances. A lot of backyard science went into the planning for the shed. I stuck a 90mm piece of timber on top of the highest part of the roof of each caravan (just forward of the hatch). The timber stuck up about 30mm above the hatch. Measured from the top of the timber to the ground and got 2430mm (they were both the same). Asked for the shed to be designed with minimum 2500mm clearances. Got 2600mm at the front of the awning and 2520mm at the roller door. There is a 50mm step up from the awning concrete to the shed concrete which I had sloped at each door. The two left hand doors are 3 metres wide. I figure those clearances will accommodate the majority of caravans I'll ever come across. Lulu, the opportunities are endless with the fit-out of the interior. I don't want to make it too comfy or there'll be no work done on the vans! ;D ...well, maybe just a small sofa...and maybe also just an esky...and certainly nothing bigger than a 14" portable TV... ...yeah, riiiight!! cheers, Al. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2007 8:18:58 GMT 10
Hi Al Well folks hows that for dedication to a mans vintage van hobby. Designed the shed from the ground up to suit his beloved vintage vans. I reckon there is a few of us on this forum who would like to squeeze an extra foot out of our roller door hieght I reckon Al deserves a diploma from us www.vintage caravan members for outstanding commitment to the hobby ;D ;D ;D May i suggest that you design the replacement shed for the burnt old one in the shape of a vintage caravan .... How cool would that look Reddo |
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Post by ukbrian on Sept 20, 2007 17:21:43 GMT 10
Al
First my commiserations on your fire experience.
Second - your fantastic "shed" highlights another difference in the UK - Oz regulations affecting our hobby. My local council would never give me permission for a building like yours in my residential area, even though I have a 1000sq metre back garden.
So our VV's have to live outside in all weathers, and all work has to be done outside, unless you know a friendly farmer with a barn.
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. You have mine and Trishas sympathy 
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.
