There is a lesson to be learned at this poor van owners expense. He stated he smelled something electrical 
while parking. It's at that point he should have disconnected
his battery until he had time to investigate where the smell
was originating from. Granted he could have thought the 
smell was something outside and not coming from his rig. 
It always seem to be the nicer Vanagons and not the
beaters that end up on fire! 

Bill