Expensive Hurricane 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
Hurrican Bob was bearing down on the East Coast of the U.S. on August 19, 1991. Everyone at work was sent home in the early morning to prepare for the storm.
Gary, a co-worker, was very dilligent and purchased many supplies to ensure that he would have light, heat, water, and the ability to cook no matter how bad the devistation might be.
The storm struck in the early afternoon and passed right over Connecticut. Most homes lost power, including Gary's.
As night fell Gary fired up the oil lamps and placed his Coleman camping stove on top of his kitchen range to cook his dinner.
After finishing his meal Gary prided himself on his thoughtful preparation. He went to bed secure in the knowledge that mother nature could not beat him. Only his genes could.
That night the power was restored by the deligent line crews. All the appliances in Gary's house were now working, including the electric range that Gary so thoughtfully placed the Coleman stove on. The burner underneath the Coleman stove had been left on and as the burner glow red it began to boil the gas in the little camper stove. When the pressure was to great the gas tank exploded and blew the kithen wall 2 feet of the foundation. Several of the floor joists were snap by the force of the explosion. Every window in the house was blown out. In total the explosion caused over $65,000 in damage.
But luckily for Gary he had closed his bedroom door before he went to sleep. That one action saved his life, and unhappily disqualifies this story from a possible Darwin Award.
Submitted on 05/09/2002
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
New London Day, 9-21-1991
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