One dead in Palmetto camper fire
A camper fire in Palmetto, Florida, on May 6, 2026, claimed the life of an elderly man who tried to extinguish the blaze himself. Firefighters arrived minutes later but could not save him.
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A camper fire in Palmetto, Florida, on May 6, 2026, claimed the life of an elderly man who tried to extinguish the blaze himself. Firefighters arrived minutes later but could not save him.
Swiss company Alpencamper has unveiled the Eco Slide Out bike trailer with a sliding mechanism that expands interior space by 50 cm, creating a sleeping area for two people.
Early on May 1, a fire destroyed an RV and its attached pickup truck on a beach in Port Aransas, Texas. A couple from Austin escaped unharmed. Firefighters faced water supply issues.
In Palmetto, Florida, an elderly man died while trying to extinguish a camper fire with a garden hose. In Yancey County, North Carolina, a woman was sentenced to prison for cocaine found in a burnt camper after Hurricane Helene.
Nexus RV announced a revamped version of its Rebel Air in the 4x4 Super C segment. The model will be available to retail consumers in mid-May, with dealer orders shipping this week. It features standard air suspension on the rear axle, upgraded HD shocks, a 21-gallon LP tank, and a Showermiser water reclamation system. According to the company, the Super C segment accounts for nearly 15% of all motorized sales, with the 4x4 Super C category up 34% year-over-year.
A camper fire in Duplin County, North Carolina, on May 7, 2026, drew multiple fire departments. The call came in at 3:51 p.m., prompting response from Northeast, Wallace, Teachey, and Rose Hill crews. First responders found the camper fully engulfed and initiated defensive operations. The fire was contained; no injury details have been released.
The Sharavnyam family from Mongolia has traveled over 70,000 km in their campervan despite record diesel prices. They sold all their possessions in Mongolia to fund the trip. In Australia, fuel costs have doubled for them, but they plan to continue their journey to Los Angeles.
A South Dakota man was gifted an RV in recognition of his contributions to the local community. The event took place in May 2026.
Storyteller Overland, a manufacturer of Class B RVs and Expedition Vehicles, announced a planned leadership transition. Founder Jeffrey Hunter will become chairman, and current chief strategy officer Neil Grimmer will take over as CEO. The company stated the move reflects the natural evolution of a business that grew from a seven-person launch team in Birmingham, Alabama, to a nationwide dealer network. Grimmer previously served as CEO of Plum Organics and brand president of Harley-Davidson.
LiftFund provided grants and zero-interest loans to businesses in Kerr County, Texas, affected by the July 2024 flood. In January 2025, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country gave $10 million to LiftFund, with $7.4 million already disbursed. The co-owner of Guadalupe Keys RV Resort reported receiving a $50,000 grant but said no revenue is coming in, and recovery is stalled due to unclear permit processes.
A Bolero camper overturned in Kullu district on Friday evening, injuring 23 passengers. Two critically injured were taken to IGMC Shimla. The driver is accused of speeding and losing control.
A head-on collision between an SUV and a camper in Churu, Rajasthan, India, caused both vehicles to catch fire. Three people died at the scene, and five were hospitalized. The cause is under investigation.
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton removed more than 40 cats and kittens from an RV with a leaky roof, floors covered in mud and feces. Several kittens show signs of respiratory infections.
Cities across the Bay Area are escalating enforcement against people living in RVs and vehicles, with Oakland becoming the latest to approve a policy to speed up towing. The move follows concerns that the city is becoming a sanctuary for displaced residents from other areas. An estimated 20,200 unhoused people live in Alameda and Santa Clara counties, most in vehicles. A 2024 Supreme Court ruling has given cities more authority to enforce camping bans even without available shelter space.
A 13-year-old boy died Tuesday morning in a camper fire in Bradford County, Florida. The teen was home sick from school; his mother was at work. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Multiple RV incidents across the US this week: a fatal fire in Texas leads to murder and arson charges; a Colorado RV fire ends with safe evacuations; a refrigerator causes a North Carolina blaze; and a car crashes into an RV in Tennessee.
Bay Area cities are intensifying enforcement against RV and car dwelling, causing homeless residents to move between jurisdictions. Oakland adopted a policy to speed up vehicle tows, aiming to avoid becoming a 'destination' for displaced people. Alameda County has an estimated 9,500 homeless individuals, Santa Clara County 10,700, most living in vehicles. A 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision allows cities to ban encampments even without shelter availability, driving stricter local rules.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol released a report on a crash on U.S. Highway 85 near Lusk, where a 1995 Ford F-250 pickup with a camper in the bed collided with a semitrailer blocking both lanes. Three people in the pickup died, including a 10-year-old girl sleeping in the cab-over area. Skid marks indicate the pickup attempted to stop, but the braking distance was short, and impact occurred at highway speed. The semi driver was uninjured; the investigation is ongoing.
On Sunday evening in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a car crashed into an RV in the Kroger parking lot on Northfield Boulevard. The three-vehicle collision resulted in only minor injuries, according to the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department.
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© Woodall's Campground Magazine - Daily News & Information for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry
Windmill RV Ranch, a 55-plus RV community in Bertram, Texas, is targeting RV owners seeking long-term stays in the Texas Hill Country. The park offers sites with full hookups, fiber optic internet, and access to local attractions. It is designed for retirees and full-time RVers looking for a stable home base.
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