Not one to be put off, Ron decided to try something with a bit more kick - neat unleaded petrol. He carefully filled a cupful of petrol (not too much, he wanted to be on the safe side) and set about cleaning up his floor. The fumes were a little dizzying, but it was paying off - the adhesive was coming off marvelously. Who says that petrol can only be used in engines?

Well, mother nature for one. See, what Ron forgot was that petrol produces vapour and this slowly drifted through to the adjoining sitting room, due to the gentle summer breeze, where it was ignited by the fire's pilot light. The resulting explosion blew out the ceiling and window and caused structural damage to the house leaving a stunned Ron wondering what could have gone wrong.

The good news is that Ron survived to live another day, no doubt with future experiments in alternative use. Further positive news is that Ron apparently suceeded in removing the adhesive, but until the remains of the floor are retreived from the neighbourhood we won't know for sure.

Submitted on 07/31/2006

Submitted by: Chris
Reference: Scunthorpe Telegraph, 31/07/06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Maybe Toss: Not Amusing
Stories about alternate uses of gasoline happen from time to time. When the victim is a jamoke with an attitude, I usually give it the nod. When it is some poor old git, however, I tend to be a bit more sympathetic. Needless to say, he DID try and use but a cupful, which indicates he was at least SOMEWHAT aware of potential danger.

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I think we can be a little more flexible with Honorable Mentions. This man may not have been spectacularly stupid, but his poor judgement did have a spectacular outcome. Still, I'm only going neutral because I agree with much of what James wrote. Of course, I do appreciate the submission all the same.

Jorge said:
Neutral: Personal Account

Sheryl said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Thanks, the write-up is brilliant. I'll go Neutral on this one, mainly because of the write-up and most people are aware that petrol/gas is not a safe medium to use. Having said that, my grandmother used it to clean the bath years' ago.

Graham said:
Maybe Toss: Other
The fumes from a mere cupful of petrol would be so diluted by the time they reached an adjoining room as to be regarded as safe. Gasoline is actually quite difficult to ignite, even at close quarters. Hollywood believes that a cigarette butt dropped into gasoline immediately ignites it. Not so. A white hot spark is required to ignite fumes. But, if the man used a gallon of petrol in an open container, then maybe. However, he would be overcome by the fumes long before they entered the next room.

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