I'm literally crying, so sad to see this

Thanks for the update Paul, I guess not knowing why is really getting to you but as everybody has said you are both safe and well and the upset will fade with time. At least you know you have hundreds of people thinking of you and Nikki and hope you get sorted quickly.
 
I really feel for you, can’t even begin to imagine how you are feeling and what you are going through. You should get your burns treated asap if you haven’t already. I hope the insurance are quick and efficient. Thinking of you both.
 
My heart goes out to you both - what a terrible thing to happen. Glad you're all safe and hope the insurance company come up trumps.
 
Gosh.... What a terrible thing to happen! I always thought that if I was going fulltiming for my retirement I would have all my belongings with me. The ones that count most, so .... yes of course only things , not human lives , but... I can imagine how you must feel, and how much in shock you must be, belongings are important...They are the little stones that show us the different paths we've taken in life. Main thing by all means is that you're both safe! I so feel for you Paul , Nikki, and I hope time will help you to open a new book with a new motorhoming life!
 
Thank you for the update and the information that you have so far on how it happened. I can well believe how gutted to the pit of your stomachs you are. The realisation that the most important thing is that you are both safe will come much later. When you have hopes and dreams and they are shattered, it is a blow, but life throws lemons as they say ☹️
Good luck with sorting the insurance.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
This is the worst nightmare I feel for you , just a thought I think the manufacturer Carthage would wont to investigate it could be a problem in the build?
 
Hope things work out for you with the insurance company. Glad everyone is safe.
 
Luckily it’s ‘just’ a MH… pleased you’re both safe and well.. 🤞for insurers being reasonable.
 
As bad as it is, it could have been so much worse.
Hope you get a good service from an understanding insurer 👍
 
That must have been so scary.

Thank God it didn't happen when you were sleeping in it.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Wow shocked 😮.

We as human beings tend to blame ourselves and each other when problems arise that’s just us being human and normal.

For one, I’m deeply sorry to hear your bad news about your van but I know it’s been said time and time again you will get over it the loss of the van but the main hard bit for me is losing the personal effects that can’t be replaced that’s the hard part.

Don’t think of the how, why’s etc just get the insurance sorted and start fresh a new look on life so to speak.

I wish you all the best and I know it’s hard but shoulders back, chest out, wipe those tears away and smile……….

Nothing can stop you from being human and free from life’s problems, just think of a solution and not concentrate on the problem.

Respects.
 
Keep your chins up and stay strong. Hope insurance comes good and then you can start a new adventure !
 
Paul thank you for your update and it goes without saying upload your thoughts on here, I keep stopping and rereading your report on how it happened omg thank goodness you found it so quickly and were not in it or parked on a Aire close to other vans.
I am sure you and Nikki will be in shock it wasn't just a van it was 20 years of hard work building to getting the right van that suited your lifestyle, I know you and Nikki will get it sorted but it takes time, you know you have so many friends wishing you well and everything crossed the insurance sorts it out quickly so you can get back doing whate you love.
 
Horrific - but you’re both OK.
We wish you all the best getting it sorted.
Kindest Regards
Kev n Mair.
 
So sorry this has happened to your MH. You have got to stay strong and things will get sorted.

We had our MH flooded in Spain in 2016. Couldn't think what day it was initially. Our insurance, Safeguard, were very good. Sorted out a hire car for each country to get us and what belongings we could salvage back home.

It will be frustrating waiting for different things to get sorted, but it will happen.

Stay strong. It will get sorted over the fullness of time. Once we accepted that, although it was very personal to us, anyone else involved professionally, were just doing their job, the enormity of the situation became more manageable.

Good Luck for everything ahead of you.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
If your clothes, linens etc are okay (ie not damaged) you should be able to get rid of the smoke smell on them by using white vinegar and/or baking soda, its only a small thing I know but something that you can try so all may not be lost. Other things will wash (pots, pans) and giving other items a good airing will sort them out too.

MHs are more than just vehicles, they create memories and even though you'd only just got this one you'd already anticipated the joy it was going to give you but you will find another that you'll love just as much, possibly even more, hard to believe now I know but you will find one and of course you have us lot to help you in your quest too.

We've all sending our love to you so hopefully you can 'feel' that and take comfort that there are a lot of people who are here to support you be it mentally or physically.

xx
 
So gutted for you. I agree it’s much more than just a van I would be devastated as well. Hope things get sorted out quickly for you both x
 
I was gutted for you when you first posted about it but having read your update I can see that it must have been one of the most frightening/upsetting things to witness. Hopefully the insurance company will come up trumps and sort things out for you.
I did tell you that you could have bought the Eagles but you opted for the van instead. :whistle2:
 
My heart goes out to you. Hope the insurance goes smoothly

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Minxy said:
If your clothes, linens etc are okay (ie not damaged) you should be able to get rid of the smoke smell on them by using white vinegar and/or baking soda, its only a small thing I know but something that you can try so all may not be lost.
Click to expand...
As you say everything is worth knowing,
I had a Dry Cleaning business for many years and quite a bit of work came from fire claims so as long as the insurance covers it any clothes etc should be professionally cleaned by a Dry Cleaning company. Then if the item is not satisfactory the insurance covers it.
 
So sorry to hear about this. Good luck with the insurance. I know wer'e all inclined to think the worst of them but probably only hear the bad cases so no reason to think there'll be anything less than helpful. Will you have to claim on the house insurance for smoke damage etc?
 
Jeez...Sat in Spoons Kendal reading this...gutted for you. Remember chatting with you in one of your vans, many years ago, big dog sprawled all over...happy times, they'll return soon.

Allen & Eileen
 
What an awful thing to have to experience. As many others have said, thankful that you are both OK.

Best wishes
 
Same thing here, as everyone has said ,hope it all works out for you both.
it happened at home, imagine if you was abroad else where.
good luck with it all

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Wow. What an terrible experience, I feel your pain. I hope the insurance comes good and you can get on the road again asap.
 
Paul

I have held off posting as there has been so much supportive traffic.

I too am so sorry for your loss, but glad that it was not you two, but get the burns sorted.

I cannot believe that a few days ago we were exchanging posts about the spec of the new Carthago and now it has gone.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: I am sending you a PM about the insurance aspect PLEASE READ IT SOONEST.

Geoff
 
haganap said:
Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts and the numerous messages and phone calls. It means so much to Nikki and I right now.
I know jo public will say "it's just a camper" but it's far deeper than that, it's our lives it's what we do. For nearly 20 years we have toured the country and abroad, skied surfed and used the van for events as well as the one thing above all, met so many wonderful and interesting people, some right wringers too.

So today is the morning after the night before and when we look out our window we just want to and do cry as we see our van that we searched for in tatters. We were due to go skiing in just 4 weeks and had been busy prepping everything.

We never slept a wink all night tossing and turning wondering what happened what went wrong and why us. I know a few people have asked and keep asking, "what happened". We genuinely have no idea, we had a great night away in Preston, a night near home in Northwich, one on electric, one not on electric. All seemed fine, the van drove beutifully and there was no indication of anything being wrong. When we arrived home, we done what we had done 100 times before, got in it to clean it and I done the outside lockers. As the van was new I looked in the lockers a little more as you do looking for space of where things may or may not go for upcoming trips.
When looking in the locker with the electrics in I could hear what I thought was Arcing, and Nikki shouted from inside she could smell smoke, she dashed out the van, by this time a fire under the drivers seat area had really taken hold. I utilized my fire extinguisher and my neighbors came over with theirs but there use was futile.

I dashed around trying to take out things like the gaslow and disconnect the batteries to prevent any explosion whilst Nikki called the fire brigade, I then spent time burning my fingers as I tried to rescue a few personal items again to no avail as the fire had really taken hold. The fire brigade were excellent and were in attendance within 6 minuets and took over. They were initially very concerned due to the high level of flames and heat as well as the risk of explosion from gas and a full tank of diesel on board. They spent over 2.5 hours on the van dousing it out but it kept coming "live" again. eventually they realized the fire had spread above the cab bed and didn't know there was a drop down bed up there. It then fell down and revealed a fire still up there which they put out. They simply stated that it was an electrical fire.

We had so many personal belongings in the van, I had 1000s of pounds worth of clothes, just things like my lovely weird fish jumpers, dancing shoes etc but also my expensive North Face Ski Jacket that Nikki had literally only just put in.

So we are still very much in shock, I rang the insurers yesterday and logged the claim but they are all closed of course. We now have to wait and see what happens from them and how honest they will be. I just wish they would come and take it away, It's making the whole close stink and also the smoke ripped through our house and areas of our home stink too.

again thank you for your messages and I will update when I can, I hope no one minds, it's literally helping us stay sane in a very difficult time that many would not understand.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update. Sounds like you have had a lucky escape. It could have happened on the previous 2 nights you were sleeping in it. That is a terrifying thought. I am so glad you two are both safe and unharmed.

Take care of each other and the best of luck sorting it out quickly with the insurance company.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top