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Man melting snow with blowtorch ign
http://www.southcoasttoday.com
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2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Man using cutting torch to thaw ice

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

NEW BEDFORD — A home-owner using a blowtorch to melt ice on his back porch accidentally set fire to his North End triple-decker Monday, officials said.

The blaze at 107 Davis St. caused $20,000-$30,000 worth of damage and displaced several residents, Fire Capt. Scott Kruger said.

Those who were home escaped safely after being alerted by smoke alarms, he said.

Firefighters responding to the call around 1:39 p.m. saw flames and smoke coming from the tenement's second and third floors. It took 25 firefighters about 30 minutes to subdue the fire.

Snow and ice impeded the fire trucks' mobility. Firefighters guarded against hoses freezing and prevented streets from icing over from the running water.

Capt. Kruger said the building's owner was trying to melt the snow and ice on the back porch using a large torch hooked up to a 20-pound propane cylinder.

He got too close to the building's wood frame and ignited the vinyl siding. The fire quickly spread into the building's uninsulated exterior wall and chased into the second and third-floor apartments, Capt. Kruger said.

The fire damaged the rear bedrooms in the second- and third-floor apartments, and caused extensive damage to the structure and electrical wiring.

Occupants have all made alternative housing arrangements.

No firefighters were injured.

The homeowner will not be charged in the accidental fire.

"This is an example of how you should not use a cutting torch to thaw out frozen water pipes or anything else," he said. "When you have wood framing, it will cause a fire."

Contact Brian Fraga at bfraga@s-t.com

Talk about a hot house... so he lives another day in the gen pool of real smart ones....

Submitted on 12/24/2008

Submitted by: Stephen Clevenger
Reference: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/NEWS/812230349

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

>> Moderator Scores <<

Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
I'm sorry, Stephen, we've already received this one. Please search the slush and reject piles before submitting. Thanks anyway, and try again!


James said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
As Candi said!


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