Opinion ID: 2375256
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Cause of ignition?

Text: Appellant contends that the evidence was insufficient to establish that the fire was caused by propane gas coming in contact with a lighted water heater. Whether the ignition was due to the water heater or some other agency on appellant's premises would have been of little importance because appellant was not charged with negligently maintaining a lighted water heater, [2] except for the fact that plaintiff's verdict-directing instruction required a finding that the vapors were ignited by contact with a lighted water heater. Plaintiff, having adopted this theory, had the burden of substantiating it. It is substantiated by admissions made by appellant in the pleadings and in its brief, by the opinion of an expert witness and by circumstantial evidence of the fact. Appellant admitted in its answer that there were open flames capable of igniting gas during filling operations. Appellant admitted in its brief that it is a matter of common knowledge that LPG is of a combustible nature and that vapors of propane gas coming in contact with a lighted water heater could and would cause a fire. The testimony clearly showed that there was a gas-fired water heater located in the washroom in appellant's trailer shop, and that the fire was caused by ignition of LPG vapor. Barsanti testified to flames shooting the length of the trailer, shooting all over, and that flames were going in the washroom. A fire chief who arrived at the scene while the fire was still burning checked the water heater and gave as his opinion that the pilot light on the gas heater could have ignited, and did ignite, the vapors. While he did not testify that he saw a flame he accounted for the absence of a flame by the fact that assuming there was a concussion, the concussion would automatically put out the flame. That there was a concussion is a reasonable inference from the evidence that there was a boom; that the sound made when LPG vaporizes in the atmosphere and is ignited is like a whoom, concussion sound. Appellant conceded that the ignition of LPG would naturally make a concussion sound like a `boom.' While the circumstantial evidence that the pilot light on the water heater was burning was not strong (there was no testimony that the water tank contained hot water, or that the valve regulating the gas intake on the water heater was found in an open position) it was substantial and with the admissions, expert opinion and other data was sufficient to carry the question of the existence of this supporting fact to the jury. Appellant counts upon its employee's testimony that the pilot light was not burning, and that the vapors may have been ignited by the operation of the engine on the Transicold unit, which appellant's evidence indicated was running during filling operations, but we are limited to a consideration of the evidence favorable to the prevailing parties and must ignore that favorable to appellant, in determining this issue. Appellant attacks the fire chief's testimony, claiming that his opinion testimony was inadmissible as an invasion of the province of the jury. He had 32 years' experience in investigating fires. He had investigated roughly a thousand fires. He was aware of the volatile propensities of gas and the ease with which it can be ignited. He looked for open flames capable of starting a fire if they came in contact with gas. His opinion as to the cause of the ignition was a matter for the consideration of the jury. Appellant's objections to the fire chief's testimony are not well taken, and the court did not err in admitting his testimony. State v. Turnbough, Mo. Sup., 388 S.W.2d 781 [6, 7].