Dramatic Scene as Retired Cobourg Firefighter Comes Upon Recreational Vehicle Fire

Pete Fisher
19 hours ago
• Categories: Local

A retired Cobourg firefighter was one of the first on scene as a recreational vehicle caught on fire in Peterborough County on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. retired Cobourg firefighter Kevin Schroeder was traveling on southbound County Road 28, near Sherbrooke Road when he noticed smoke coming from a recreational vehicle on the side of the roadway facing northbound.

Schroeder immediately pulled over to see if he could help with the situation.

On the shoulder of the roadway he first noticed two women who were distraught. By the RV, there was a man using a fire extinguisher to quell the flames coming from underneath the vehicle.

“I could hear the hissing and could tell it was a propane fire,” said Schroeder.

At one point the person using the extinguisher thought he had the fire under control, but Schroeder could still see the flames. Identifying it was a propane fire, things could go south very fast.

An elderly man came out of the RV and Schroeder told the man to get as far away from the vehicle as possible in case there was an explosion.

“When I heard the hissing from the propane I knew it was a very dangerous situation.”

And it became clearly evident that it was a futile effort using the extinguisher.

Things were happening very fast with the fire spreading rapidly. Seconds after, an elderly woman came out of the RV.

“It was like a blow torch.”

Schroeder along with another bystander helped everyone get as far away as possible from the impending inferno.

Using his vehicle, Schroeder blocked the roadway waiting for emergency services.

Shortly after, Schroeder believes one of the propane tanks bleved (boiling liquid expanded vapour explosion) due to the intense heat of the fire.

As a former firefighter for 30-years, Schroeder has been to many types of fires, but seeing how fast the fire progressed he wants to reiterate to everyone. If there is a fire in your home or vehicle, get out while you can and remain a safe distance away. Fire can spread vehicle quickly.

Although the RV was completely destroyed there were no injuries.