Strange source

[sepalmer]

Ok people hear is one for the books.



We were called to a house for smoke in the basement; we went in and found light smoke conditions and no heat. We searched found nothing, we used the thermal camera on every place we could think of that might be causing the problem found nothing.

Then the chief noticed a strange stain on the overflow of the bathtub, checked it with the camera and there was heat in the area. We were able to access the pipes under the tub and this is what was found (see photo) the photo is of a PVC drain pipe or what is left of it.



No one in the house claims to have put anything down the drain.

[fireman4949]

Any kids in the house?

I once went to a call where a kid was lighting fireworks and sticking them in the sink drain. A smoke bomb finally ignited the PVC P-trap. He completely denied everything until we pulled the remnants of about 20 bottle rockets out of the plumbing.

[sepalmer]

Nothing found in the area.

To me it is chemical, But what combination?

and yes there is kids.

[fireman4949]

Possibly a combination of caustic and/or makeshift drain openers?

[oldtimeyff]

Less than 1% of caustics will react with pvc. I own a plumbing co. and have seen most homemade drain cleaners. If they were trying to clean out a drain it would probably be backed up and water would be present. I would have to assume that some type of heat source was introduced. I have also seen lightning ignite plumbing in structures due to following a water line. Is this possible?

[sepalmer]

No electrical in vicnity and no evidence or report of lightning (clear night)

[Resq1scnd2none]

Bleach and brake fluid?

[oldtimeyff]

did you take more pics? was there anything on the outside of the overflow?

[ElectricHoser]

Rodents with matches!

[oldtimeyff]

I HATE it when that happens!!!

[TNFF319]

Could hair have been stuck in the pipe which started decaying and spontaneously combusted? Mulch and other things will decay and become hot enough to start smoking and even catch fire.

[kprsn1]

sepalmer, am I wrong on my assumption that the tub was situated on the first floor and not in the basement? If so, were the pipes visible above or were they covered with ceiling or flooring? Was the burned section of pipe the drain trap?

[FTLAUD]

Did they use candles? I seem to recall hearing of a fire where candles ignited PVC piping after putting the ignited candles into a sink.

The occupant always put them in the metal kitchen sink, figuring that 1) it was metal and 2) if something fell onto the candle they could turn on the faucet. The occupant had lit a candle, then some time later after smelling burning, come back to the kitchen on fire below the sink and extending throughout the cabinets. Apparently under the metal sink was PVC piping, and a candle had fallen into the drain, igniting the piping.

Maybe the same could happen for a tub.

[sepalmer]

Thanks for all the replys and to answer a few post.

It was a drain trap and located in the basement. No candles, fireworks and trap was not exsposed, they had build an access to the pipes. I think the kids in the house had somthing to do with it but will not admit to anything.

[DeputyMarshal]

There's really too little information to make any credible guesses here.

Was the incident investigated by the Fire Marshal (or local equivalent)? If so, what was the final report?