[GSBN] Straw Bale House Fire

[Brian Hodge]

Hi All,
as most of you probaby know we have had horendous fires in Victoria Australia. On the subject of fires and straw bale houses, we know of one house in Marrysville, (a town that was virtually wiped out), that made it through the majority of the fire, but when a gas tank on the next door property exploded it took out the dormer windows which allowed ember penetration. If it wasn't for this it would have survived the fire. We are still hunting down another house that went through the fires, but will let you know if we get any more info.

Regards

Brian Hodge
Anvill Straw

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: strawnet at aol.com 
  To: GSBN at greenbuilder.com 
  Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 4:29 AM
  Subject: Re: [GSBN] Straw Bale House Fire


  Hi all,

  There are, no doubt, lessons to be learned and valuable information to be gained from this. I would point out, however, that you can just as easily burn down a brick house, a stick framed house, or just about any other house with a crawl space and wooden floor by setting fire to the floor from underneath. Straw bale houses are no less or more vulnerable to these kinds of fires than others - though the they are more vulnerable to the likelihood that the fact it was a straw bale house that burned will be a prominent feature of any news story. 

  We're all glad you're looking into this, John, and look forward to hearing about what you might learn. Thanks.

  David Eisenberg


  -----Original Message-----
  From: john rehorn <rehorn at frontier.net>
  To: (private; with public archives) Global Straw Building Network <GSBN at greenbuilder.com>
  Sent: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:00 am
  Subject: [GSBN] Straw Bale House Fire


  Hi Everyone, 
   
  There was a straw bale home fire on Friday near Lyons, Colorado. 
   
  http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12011181 
   
  I'm looking into the circumstances at present. Sympathies and good thoughts to the Akia family. 
   
  With that said, I believe this can be an educational opportunity for all concerned. How did the earthen plastered sb walls perform? Why did the owner need to thaw out frozen pipes in March, especially in a straw bale? There is also the need to correct erroneous assumptions regarding fire and sb as quickly and publicly as possible. As you all know, one bad story about one straw bale house can overpower a thousand good ones. 
   
  Any information about this unfortunate event is very welcomed. Also, if the subject of this house crops up on your internet presence, please educate the public in a good way. 
   
  Thanks, 
   
  John 
   
  John RehornExecutive Director 
  Colorado Straw Bale Association 
  www.coloradostrawbale.org 
  coloradostrawbale at yahoo.com 
   
   
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