Ticking time bomb

[rsgm]

Back in 2018 I purchased a new Wolf 140 MIG welder unit and obtained a Co2/5%argon gas bottle from the local motor factors, used it several times for small jobs so gas bottle was probably 3/4 full, last used it in March, kept stored laying on bottom shelf of a racking unit
with the welder in front of it. Tuesday 1st of June at 8.30 pm sitting in the house there was an almighty bang and the bungalow shook. Went outside thinking something had hit the house or a bad accident on the road, found that the front corner of the integral garage had blown out, rubble across the driveway. Fire service attended along with the investigation officer who determined that the Co2 bottle had seriously failed, it was in two pieces, split top to bottom, the force of the blast had propelled the mig unit into the front of our Peugeot car crushing the wing,5" gash in the tyre tread, bonnet crumpled and windscreen broken, it had then ricocheted upwards the internals ended up going through the plasterboard ceiling into the loft. Several tins of varnish, underseal, paint, thinners etc ruptured and the contents sprayed around the garage, socket set items in every corner and in the loft. Just to add to the mess the chipboard shelves were reduced to dust and mixed with the paints etc. The fire service attended and involved the HSE who have taken away the remains of the gas bottle for examination, to me it looks like internal corrosion, we will see what the experts say. Just thankful no one (or Gilbern) was in the garage at the time, All in the hands of the insurers, Written off Peugeot replaced & now waiting for building repairs. One wonders how many more bottles out there are on the point of failure.

[R_D_Olivaw]

I hate to think what would happen if my propane tank exploded, what with all the chemicals I have in the garage.

Good luck with the clear-up and thank the heavens no one was hurt. You'll be finding sockets in odd places for the next twenty years.

Was your insurance company understanding?

[rsgm]

Thanks for your reply, No problems with the insurance, NFU for the house and Saga for the Peugeot, excellent valuation, spent time trawling the internet for valuations of similar models/mileage expecting a battle, their offer came out towards the top end so happy with that.
Regards, Jeff

[spegru]

Sounds dreadful. Lucky it was not worse. I often worry about my compressor tank.....