Gasoline and alcohol don't mix 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
A Mentor man who tried to burn down a former girlfriend's home inadvertently turned the torch on himself yesterday, police said.
The 46 year old of Lake Shore Blvd., was in critical condition yesterday at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Police said he suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body.
Eastlake police said the man was burned at 12:04 a.m. yesterday at the home of former girlfriend. The man lived in the home for about four months before the couple split up in July.
The man went to his ex's house while she was sleeping and poured gasoline around the base of the stone and wood house and around the detached garage, police said. Police found two large containers of gasoline there. Apparently the man, who had been drinking, spilled some gasoline on himself and set himself ablaze when he tried to light a cigarette.
despite having burned almost all of his own body all he succeeded in doing to the house was afew char marks and some scorched bushes.
"I heard some yelling around midnight [Tuesday] and saw him on fire running around the house," the neighbor said. "The bushes in front of the house were on fire."
Submitted on 10/09/2002
Submitted by:
Dave Vick
Reference:
Cleveland Plain Dealer Oct. 9
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