EDMONDS, Wash. — Trying to live green and beat high gasoline prices, some enterprising Americans are turning cooking oil into biodiesel in their garages. Problem is, some of these do-it-yourselfers are burning down the house.
Fire officials across the country are warning of the dangers and considering new restrictions to make sure people don’t torch the whole neighborhood.
"You won’t find a rule anywhere that says you can’t cook biodiesel in your garage,” said Bob Benedetti, a flammable-liquids engineer for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass.
Ferocious fires and explosions blamed on backyard refining operations have been reported in Washington state, Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and Oregon. No deaths or serious injuries have resulted, but some fire officials say it is only a matter of time.
Biodiesel is typically made by combining the cooking oil with methanol. But methanol is highly flammable. And frying oil can catch fire.
The results can be spectacular, particularly in cases where home refiners have stockpiled tanks and barrels of material.
Fire officials across the country are warning of the dangers and considering new restrictions to make sure people don’t torch the whole neighborhood.
"You won’t find a rule anywhere that says you can’t cook biodiesel in your garage,” said Bob Benedetti, a flammable-liquids engineer for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass.
Ferocious fires and explosions blamed on backyard refining operations have been reported in Washington state, Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and Oregon. No deaths or serious injuries have resulted, but some fire officials say it is only a matter of time.
Biodiesel is typically made by combining the cooking oil with methanol. But methanol is highly flammable. And frying oil can catch fire.
The results can be spectacular, particularly in cases where home refiners have stockpiled tanks and barrels of material.
by the associated press
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