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Darwin Awards
2006 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
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Engine Blockhead

2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Back in the 80's, my dad was a member of a telescope club. He recalls this story another member, a technical know-how, told him. Our telescoper was in his garage cutting up a magnesium engine block for scrap. He tried different types of saws, but all they did was splinter the magnesium. It was at that time, when all hope seemed lost, that he had a bright idea: He would cut up the block with an acetylene torch. This technical know-how apparently forgot that magnesium, when heated sufficiently, will ignite (magnesium was often used for flares in the 1800's). At the critical point, the engine block ignited. The man escaped from his garage with only minor burns. The garage burned down.

Submitted on 05/22/2006

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Personal Account,1980's

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

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James said:
Neutral: Personal Account
While it may not be as funny to most people, I've had firefighting training (in the US Navy) and know full well what to do if something containing magnesium (such as a typical carrier-based fighter plane) should catch fire: "Push it overboard"! That having been said, anyone with even minimal "know-how" is aware that magnesium just keeps on burning! Fine if you are melting down the old block in a furnace, but NOT a garage! I'll keep this as a PA!

Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Great story! and great surprise for the unsuspecting cutter!

Greg said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Classic!

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