An elongated generally cylindrical shell of a portable gas forced air unit is provided with a roll cage for protection. A pair of end caps located at each proximate end of the shell are connected by a plurality of roll cage bars extending parallel with the combustion chamber, whereby, the combination of end caps and roll cage bars serve to protect the concentric shell and its internal combustion chamber from damage. The end caps include a plurality of end bumps dimensioned and located to protect the outer extent of the portable unit while being oriented in substantially vertical or horizontal positions, and serve to support the portable unit when in a vertical position on a surface. The portable gas forced air unit is also adapted to be releasably interconnected with similar units.