I just put out your fire - should you replace my extinguisher?

[bosco659]

In another section there’s a small chat about fire extinguishers. Here’s a scenario about which I’d be interested in hearing people’s thoughts.

You’re driving or riding and someone’s vehicle or bike catches on fire (you may or may not know the owner of the vehicle). If I had an extinguisher, I would immediately break it out to put out the fire. The owner of the vehicle will be happy, but now I’m left with an empty extinguisher or a discharged Element extinguisher. Bottom line is I’m now out of pocket up to $150 for being a Good Samaritan. Hopefully the person with the toasty ride would offer to pay to replace the extinguisher, but if they didn’t, would you ask them to?

My Element fire extinguisher is now $125 (Cdn) plus taxes, so for easy math, say $150. That’s a lot of coin to put out helping a possible stranger. Would you insist on being reimbursed, or go home feeling good without compensation, knowing you helped out a fellow human being? The loss might be easier to swallow if the extinguisher was only $25.

 

[Bob Wegman]

I can't imagine someone not offering payment. That being said, If they didn't offer I would just say, You owe me for the extinguisher but I'll throw in the labor for free.

 

[Mikey]

I guess I would ask

 

[gggGary]

Would you insist on being reimbursed, or go home feeling good without compensation,

Did this. About 40 years ago in our RV, a Chev Nova engine/carb/fuel line caught fire as we were going by, Used our extinguisher, put out the fire. It was close, fire restarted a time or two but got it done, much better than the dirt they had been trying to scrape off the shoulder. Seems like I got $10 or $20 for my efforts, might have had to ask. Car owner (in a trailer park) was not wealthy BEFORE the fire.

One dark night came by a car on the shoulder smoking/ burning under the hood. Doors were locked, interior smoke filled.
Decided probably no one was inside, called 911 basically got push back, I think Sheriffs dept. was hoping it was in the next county, but I knew where the line was, they still were not enthused about responding. One of the front tires blew up while I was there. That got my attention and kinda backed me off, finally I just left the scene.

 

[bosco659]

This is a true story ( I may have told it before in another post) - back in the ‘70’s I had just graduated from University and decided it was time to move away from home. I rented a townhouse with two friends, in a new complex. Back then I was deep into riding dirt bikes. My GF wanted one so I found a $100 basket case Suzuki 80 for her. I put it together in the basement and thought I should fire it up before taking it outside. I added some gas, kicked it several times and it fired up (literally). A backfire through the carb had the engine engulfed in flames. With nothing more than a blanket I tried beating the fire out. I screamed to my buddies the bike was on fire. One friend had a fire extinguisher in his van which was about 100yds away in the parking lot. My efforts to beat out the flames succeeded without damage to the building. Exhausted, I sat down. In rushes my friend with his fire extinguisher, pulls the pin and shoots dry chemical all over the bike that’s no longer burning and immediately turns to me and says “you owe me $25 for an extinguisher”. Maybe this is why I’m sensitive to this subject matter. lol.

 

[nj1639]

I’d be inclined to give without measure.

 

[Downeaster]

If I were the recipient, I'd certainly offer to replace the extinguisher.

If I were the Good Samaritan, it would probably depend. Damsel in distress or kid driving Mom & Dad's car, probably not. Grown-ass man that should've known better? Yeah, I'd have my hand out.

 

[Jim]

I can recall 3 times when I put out a car fire with my extinguisher. Yeah... apparently I'm a vehicle fire magnet, who knew? Anyway...

In all 3 cases, reimbursement was neither asked for nor offered. To be honest, it never dawned on me. Guess it's a karma thing. Hopefully someone will treat me the same.

Funny story. A fire broke out in the hanger I was working in. Ol' dumbass here caused it... yep, was completely my fault. Anyway, there's this huge extinguisher... the kind on wagon wheels ya know? You could easily put out a 2 story house fire with the damn thing. Anyway, I grabbed it and put out the fire.
Next payday, my paycheck was for $5. Having forgotten all about the fire, I walked up to the front office and inquired with a "what the fuck?!?" Boss walked up and said my check just covered having the extinguisher recharged. I thought about it for a minute and said "fair enough, but be advised, a fire ever breaks out in here again, I'll let the whole sumbich burn to the ground before I touch that damn extinguisher again"... and I walked out.
Next Monday there was an envelope in my time card slot (remember those?). In it was the remainder of my check.

 

[gunk]

This is a true story ( I may have told it before in another post) - back in the ‘70’s I had just graduated from University and decided it was time to move away from home. I rented a townhouse with two friends, in a new complex. Back then I was deep into riding dirt bikes. My GF wanted one so I found a $100 basket case Suzuki 80 for her. I put it together in the basement and thought I should fire it up before taking it outside. I added some gas, kicked it several times and it fired up (literally). A backfire through the carb had the engine engulfed in flames. With nothing more than a blanket I tried beating the fire out. I screamed to my buddies the bike was on fire. One friend had a fire extinguisher in his van which was about 100yds away in the parking lot. My efforts to beat out the flames succeeded without damage to the building. Exhausted, I sat down. In rushes my friend with his fire extinguisher, pulls the pin and shoots dry chemical all over the bike that’s no longer burning and immediately turns to me and says “you owe me $25 for an extinguisher”. Maybe this is why I’m sensitive to this subject matter. lol.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

Hey Mr, your car's on fire. Wanna buy an extinguisher? Cheap.
Honestly I don't think the average joe understands how costly they are.

 

[Adamc]

Hey Mr, your car's on fire. Wanna buy an extinguisher? Cheap.
Honestly I don't think the average joe understands how costly they are.

I have several fire extinguishers of differing types. Mostly nicked from closing stores I have worked in.
Thankfully I have never had used one. If needed I would help a burning issue without expecting recompense; after all what comes around goes around..

 

[bosco659]

I have several fire extinguishers of differing types. Mostly nicked from closing stores I have worked in.
Thankfully I have never had used one. If needed I would help a burning issue without expecting recompense; after all what comes around goes around..

Many people have them and forget about them in the corner. Trouble is, when needed, sometimes they don’t work. I saw this happen multiple times in a past life where we had fires once in a while. Although the gauge read full pressure, you pull the pin and squeeze then nothing is discharged.
The other mistake people make is they put out a small fire then hang the extinguisher back on the wall for the next emergency. I don’t believe the valves seal 100% after use so there’s a chance of a slow discharge of pressure.
That said I’m going to check all of mine right now.

 

[Niels B]

I would offer to replace the extinguisher, however I wouldn’t expect to be reimbursed - and I wouldn’t ask for reimbursement either. I can imagine the persons vehicle who caught fire already is traumatized and out a lot more $$ than an extinguisher - so help, feel good and move on !

 

[bosco659]

Many people have them and forget about them in the corner. Trouble is, when needed, sometimes they don’t work. I saw this happen multiple times in a past life where we had fires once in a while. Although the gauge read full pressure, you pull the pin and squeeze then nothing is discharged.
The other mistake people make is they put out a small fire then hang the extinguisher back on the wall for the next emergency. I don’t believe the valves seal 100% after use so there’s a chance of a slow discharge of pressure.
That said I’m going to check all of mine right now.

All ok. I have two fresh 10 lb extinguishers and a couple of old back up units. I was surprised the one back up was a 2001 and the other a 2004. Well past their best before date.

 

[Niels B]

Hey Mr, your car's on fire. Wanna buy an extinguisher? Cheap.
Honestly I don't think the average joe understands how costly they are.

It’s not all about money, and I think I’ve sensed that on this site, lots of help and freebies are offered - makes me have faith that humanity isn’t all gone !

 

[Adamc]

Many people have them and forget about them in the corner. Trouble is, when needed, sometimes they don’t work. I saw this happen multiple times in a past life where we had fires once in a while. Although the gauge read full pressure, you pull the pin and squeeze then nothing is discharged.
The other mistake people make is they put out a small fire then hang the extinguisher back on the wall for the next emergency. I don’t believe the valves seal 100% after use so there’s a chance of a slow discharge of pressure.
That said I’m going to check all of mine right now.

Very true. Mine are serviced every year. I have a mate in the trade.

 

[MaxPete]

In another section there’s a small chat about fire extinguishers. Here’s a scenario about which I’d be interested in hearing people’s thoughts.

You’re driving or riding and someone’s vehicle or bike catches on fire (you may or may not know the owner of the vehicle). If I had an extinguisher, I would immediately break it out to put out the fire. The owner of the vehicle will be happy, but now I’m left with an empty extinguisher or a discharged Element extinguisher. Bottom line is I’m now out of pocket up to $150 for being a Good Samaritan. Hopefully the person with the toasty ride would offer to pay to replace the extinguisher, but if they didn’t, would you ask them to?

My Element fire extinguisher is now $125 (Cdn) plus taxes, so for easy math, say $150. That’s a lot of coin to put out helping a possible stranger. Would you insist on being reimbursed, or go home feeling good without compensation, knowing you helped out a fellow human being? The loss might be easier to swallow if the extinguisher was only $25.

Hmmmmm....well, I am of two minds on this issue:

• on one hand, I think the other guy should (unless he is an @sshole) offer to replace your fire extinguisher without even being asked.
• on the other hand, helping a neighbour is what everyone should do (unless they are an @sshole)

.......rather than stand there and watch someone else's home or car burn. Who knows - that fire could spread to YOUR house or car - so you may actually be helping yourself in the long-run.

Of course - if you help the neighbour and then they try to stab you after the fire is snuffed-out - then you have learned something and you have acquired some useful experience which you can apply the next time they need your help.

You've learned that they are a f@cking idiot and not worth pissing on - let alone helping with your fire extinguisher.

 

[jetmechmarty]

A few years ago in a west Tennessee town there was a man who refused to contribute to the volunteer fire department. When his house caught fire they let it burn to the ground. True story.

 

[bosco659]

A few years ago in a west Tennessee town there was a man who refused to contribute to the volunteer fire department. When his house caught fire they let it burn to the ground. True story.

Interesting. Big question is how did the fire start?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Interesting. Big question is how did the fire start?

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...efighters-watch-tennessee-family-s-house-burn