Harold Lill had just stepped out of the shower in his motorhome when he heard a "woof" sound and felt a blast of air.

The 86-year-old said he glanced over to see flames in the propane water heater. Seconds later, the 1986 GM bus was on fire.

Lill grabbed a pair of pants and got out before the vehicle, parked in space 11 at the Knox Butte RV Park, went up in flames Friday. His dog, Baby Doll, a 4-year-old Maltese/Yorkie cross, also escaped safely.

About 20 firefighters responded to the 4:30 p.m. fire at 125 Expo Parkway. They kept the fire from spreading to Lill's storage shed or to any other vehicles, but everything inside the RV was destroyed.

Lill said he has insurance and plans to stay with friends. Neighbors at the RV park quickly gathered a shirt and a pair of shoes for him. The fire department also contributed money from the Albany Firefighters Community Assistance Fund.

Lois Anderson, who was visiting family members in the park, said she smelled smoke getting stronger and stronger, then saw the flames burst skyward.

"It just blew," she said. "The flames were huge."

Lill said he has lived at the park for the past eight or nine years. He was born in Albany but was a long-distance trucker for more than 60 years.

He was not injured in the fire, but cut his hand afterward trying to remove a safe from the smoking remains of his home.

Lill said he appreciated his neighbors' help and support.

"They found me a shirt, shoes - all mine got burned up in the rush," he said.