Burning Fla. House Full of Ammo Left Firefighters Dodging Bullets
- Posted on December 31, 2010 at 6:40pm by
Meredith Jessup
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A house fire in Tampa drew the attention of neighbors, but not for the reason you’d think. According to local news accounts, the emergency sounded more like someone‘s New Year’s Eve fireworks display had set off a day early. In actuality, the popcorn sounds emanating from the scene of the fire were actually thousands of rounds of ammunition exploding as fire engulfed the Florida home.
“It just popped over, over our fence,” neighbor John Alba told Tampa Bay’s local Fox affiliate. “He supposedly had thousands of rounds of ammunition and we have different calibers,” he said, referring to his neighbor James Harris.
Harris reportedly set his home ablaze before retreating to the backyard to kill himself. MyFox Tampa Bay reports:
Just 24 hours later the charred remains of his home wasn’t the only thing that was left behind by the fire. Neighbors say they found shell casings in the aftermath of what could have been a much more deadly fire.
“We were just fortunate that nothing happened to our kids,” said Alba, who spent part of the day picking up shell casings on his property right next door.
“Because of my children, making sure they don‘t run out there and cut their feet as you can tell it’s pretty sharp,” said Alba.
Bruce Heyward lives a few doors down from where the fire started. He says he heard a “big bang.”
“You heard a major explosion and then what sounded like ammo going off for almost a half hour,” said Heyward.
No one else was hurt as a result of the fire, including firefighters, who eyewitnesses say were using extreme caution.
“I noticed firemen that were going to the ground, falling to the ground because there was popping and they didn’t know what was coming their way,” said Alba.
Friday, with the smell of smoke still in the air, John Alba is thankful his family will ring in the New Year together.
“It could have been worse, it could have been more tragic than it was.”
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xd45fan
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 2:11ami’ve tossed some rounds into a campfire on a few drunken occasions and all that happened was a pop and whistling sounds as the shell casings tumbled through the air, the bullets typically remained in the fire
Report Post »Eyeball
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:00pmWhen ammo explodes in a fire, there is not bullets whizzing everywhere. The casing and bullet just part company in a realitively harmless fashion.
Report Post »asmith
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:56pmDon’t blame the ammo for this. The guy was unstable and was making making his passage as memorable and dangerous for the public as possible. Besides suicidal people are even more selfish that liberals so don’t take that out on “evil” gun owners.
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:46pmNRA proved that worst case scenario wound Not happen.
Report Post »radioguru
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:30amSounds like the biggest was someone stepping on a “sharp” casing…oooooooooo….call in the national guard. That ammo will be worth more that gold in the years ahead.
Report Post »DonaldH
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:04amNow that‘s ’“A WASTE OF AMMO”
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 5:27amcasings fly. lead projectiles are typically the heavier of the two.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:19amWhy? Guess it doesn’t matter. He’s dead & no one else got hurt. Feel sorry for his family. @ Wisepenny, I’m so sorry for your anger towards Glen Beck & his show, but he is not responsible for this. God bless you & your family. I sincerely hope you have a happy New Year. It’s a chance to start over – a fresh beginning. With God’s loving Grace & Forgiveness we have hope.
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 11:06pmHe probably spent all day on The Blaze, then caught the 5PM EDT edition of Glenn Beck harping of imminent demise. Upon falsely assuming that this website and “The Glenn Beck Show” is not run by total morons, he probably decided to take the less painful way out and become a part of the solution, instead.
So what if Beck has identified the culprit, Spooky Dude? Now what, Einstein? Write one more book? If he really would totally identify the solution to this mess, and I don’t mean “tootsie foot” around the fact that we need, as a nation, to make a proclamation in earnestness to denounce all this moral rottenness that we allow and cry out to Jesus Christ to forgive our idolatry, baby killing, sodomy, thievery, adultery,sorcery, lying to our own hearts about greed and selfishness, and the list is almost endless! I know Glenn Beck is no preacher and Fox News would drop him faster than a live rattlesnake if he ever called for people to give their hearts to Jesus Christ, the actual Most High God in flesh form. But this nation is not going to do that, as a collective soul and mind, and we all know it. The only hope lies apparent for those that have already decided to trust in Jesus Christ and are prepared to die for that cause only, not just the freedom to live like a bunch of infidels and expect “God” to bless us anyway in spite of ourselves. If this diatribe enrages you, then you are part of the problem, almighty Glenn inclusive.
TruthTalker
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 11:30pmThe diatribe doesnt disturb me, only reflects you are disturbed. To pin this event on Glenn Beck is a huge mental leap without support and shows either you are off your meds or seriously should get some prescribed. Back up your accusations with evidence or stay away from the rhetorc. May the Lord watch over you. I wish you and yours a Happy New Year.
Report Post »WireWizard
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 11:40pmWay too many twists and turns to follow that last diatribe. I don‘t know if I’m supposed to be enraged. My hair hurts.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:28amWisepenny…change your name to Idon’tmakeanysensepenny.
That diatribe was really hard to follow and stupid to boot.
Report Post »Lost Viking
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:29amI take it your not a fan of Mr.Beck, his show, or his affiliates. Then that begs the question of why you are even posting on this website?
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:05amWisepenny is still drunk on his ass.
Report Post »hottrod1
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:34amI read Obama’s books so I may know my enemy,same with Rules for radicals and The communist manifesto. I would gather, that to you, these are rules to live by, your Bible.
Report Post »I really cant figure why your here,except your one of those that will sit in the “non-smoking” and lite up to see what will happen…maybe it would be advisible that you navigate these waters here very carefully!
Armed Patriot
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:04amWow, gotta agree with Dusty on that one. NO Sense made here. Maybe it was the spirits talking…
Report Post »lukeshop
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:34pmYou need to be on meds!! You’re dangerous!!!
Report Post »waggie
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:44pmActually, Wisepenny, your comments are not so wise. If you really knew anything about Glenn Beck you would know that he does call for all of us to fall on our knees in repentence. He has denounced baby killers, etc that you describe in your diatribe. Here’s a “wise” tip for you: Unless you kow what you’re talking about, SHUT UP! Watch Glenn’s show instead of criticizing!
Report Post »ConservativeBeauty
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:42pmIt is sad one can’t find the wonderment in living
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:38pmNo amount of ammo can save you …if you don’t want to live…what a sad story……….I’m not even sure what I mean by this statement…….still very strange story
Report Post »ConservativeBeauty
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:38pmHow rude…so he sets his house on fire and kills himself living so close to his neighbors with all that ammo in his house?? I mean..poor guy. Honestly too bad he took his own life, but still. Very dangerous.
Report Post »Cliff
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 10:26pmJust thankful he only did himself in and not take out others with him in a blaze of pseudo glory!!
Report Post »DMcPher316
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:19pmHey.. the least he could have done was donate the ammo to others for their use….then the selfish bastard killed himself. The media, I’m sure will paint him as a nut ball and blame it all on: (1) fumes from the ammo/guns, (2) right wing conservatism or (3) Bush.
Report Post »Structure21
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:27pmAnother case of ammo abuse.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:18pmGlad to learn about what popcorn sound is. The bullets were actually shooting out? How far would it travel?
Report Post »KEA
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:30pmNot far enough or fast enough to do them harm. I have fought many of fire with ammo going off and unless its locked in a chamber there is very little velocity every established when it goes off.
More of a Media Hype story with little truth about the danger.
With that though, if they guy was a reloader he may have had a lot of gun powder and that can lead to issues depending on the quanitity.
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:34pmIf a shell isn’t held stationary, the force of the bullet is greatly reduced. But it can still put out an eye…
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:35pmProbably more velocity but less impacting force from the brass since it’s less dense than the lead.
Ask Sir Isaac Newton. I bet he’ll provide 3 answers. :)
Report Post »N.Tesla269
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 10:13pmnot life threatening haven’t any of you guys seen mythbusters?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:07pmWhat a waste of ammo… glad no one was hurt.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 9:04pmDarn. I could have used all that ammo
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 6:08amBullets going off (while not inside a gun or rifle) in a fire have been tested and they are not a great danger except to the eyes.
Report Post »watchmany2k
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:33amLOL, Listen up brilliants.
Report Post »It’s not velocity, or if only the primer burns, or brass or lead flies first.
The Point here:
BECAUSE of the stored volume of amunition, all that remains is the foundation.
If you’re storing any amount of ammo, spend your first $ on your total replacement insurance policy.
I said it before, YOU should be the one who stops the fireman at the driveway.
guyperram
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:58amWhy was he storing so much ammo? Perhaps he was a left wing nut job getting ready for Pivens revolution?
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:36amTHIS STORY is another media LIE just like tower 7 on 9/11
the truth is there was no danger from the ammo unless it was in a loaded gun
In his book “Gunshot Wounds” Vincent Di Maio describes various experiments where ammunition was heated in ovens. He says that .22 long rifle cartridges detonate at an average of 275F, .38 Special at 290F and 12 gauge shotgun shells at 387F. The interesting thing about these furnace experiments was that in all instances the cartridge cases ruptured, but the primers did not detonate. In fact the primers were removed from some of the ruptured cases, reloaded into other brass and fired.
When cartridges are placed in a fire he confirms that the most dangerous component of a cartridge is the brass, or fragments thereof that may cause eye injury or penetrate skin, but certainly there is NO EVIDENCE that a cartridge that is not in a firearm can cause a mortal wound, either by action of the bullet or the brass/primer fragments. It is important to remember however that a chambered cartridge that detonates in a fire is just as dangerous as a cartridge that is fired under normal circumstances in a firearm.
To get a better understanding of the behaviour of free-standing ammunition in a fire, he conducted experiments with a propane torch. A total of 202 cartridges (handgun, centerfire rifle and shotgun cartridges) were used. If the heat was applied directly to the base of a shotgun shell the primer would detonate, the powder would ignite and the shell would rupture. Any pellets that emerged were traveling too slowly to be recorded on a chronograph.
In rifle and handgun cartridges where the flame was applied to the base of the cartridge the primers always detonated but the powder only ignited in half the cases and in those instances the cases did not rupture but the gas was instead vented through the primer hole.
When he heated these same handgun and rifle cartridges at the front, the powder would burn and the cases would usually rupture but with few exceptions the primers did not detonate. The velocity of expelled projectiles ranged from 58 ft/s to 123 ft/s. The only exception was the .270 cartridge where the bullet velocity was 230 ft/s. Primer velocities ranged from 180 ft/s to 830 ft/s.
He says that a revolver in a fire is especially dangerous because all the cartridges can cook off and be discharged such that there is a danger from projectiles. Only the bullet that came out of the barrel will have rifling marks and the ones that came from non-aligned chambers will have shear marks on them. Obviously if there is a question about the firing of a weapon and whether it was cooked off or fired intentionally they will look for a firing-pin impression on the primer of the suspect cartridge case.
References:
Sciuchetti G.D. Ammunition and fire. American Rifleman 144(3): 36-38, 59-60, March 1996.
Cooking-Off Cartridges. NRA Illustrated Reloading Handbook. Washington, D.C.: The National Rifle Association of America.
And of course Vincent Di Maio’s excellent book “Gunshot Wounds – practical aspects of firearms, ballistics and forensic technics”. My copy is the second edition, published by CRC Press, ISBN 0-8493-8163-0
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:52amthis Propaganda will be used to limit the Ammo a citizen can own at his house.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:03pmJessup Maryland , I have friends that work for the CIA, and they use to make
Report Post »up names using surrounding names and they would laugh about it
and see who was the most creative.
racialcoward
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:15pmANOTHER GOVERNMENT HOAX DESIGNED TO CREATE MORE CHAOS
Now TSA will be doing House-House searches looking for stored ammo. Lets start with NRA members and registered gun owners.
Report Post »racialcoward
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:25pmASK SOMEONE WHO IS IN THE MILITARY, POLICE, OR NRA IF THIS IS TRUE.
This is one more Obama lie and if people can be paniced, then Napallitano will order TSA into our homes looking for ammunition. Either that or the Cops will kick in doors to protect the community.
This is a staged hoax.
Report Post »free2bme1961
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 12:48am@TOWER7FEMACAMP,
Report Post »I have to agree with you about this. It will most likely be used to ensure more americans become unarmed. Janet is proabably writing up something at this very moment!
My gosh! What will they think of next?
Sam I am
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 9:47pmI wonder if the cops would be willing to get their guns off the streets too!
Report Post »Jerbear1098
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 6:35pmAbsolutely…….
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