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Blowtorch Cleaning
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Darwin Awards
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!

Blowtorch Cleaning

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Unfortunately, this story will only be able to receive an Honorable Mention as no one was hurt. But I wanted to submit it anyway since this story of sheer stupidity truly amazed me.

Would-be cleaners take note: A blowtorch is not a good substitute for a broom. Coweta County authorities say Galen Winchell set fire to his west Georgia home Wednesday as he cleaned cobwebs from exterior eaves with a blowtorch. Winchell noticed the blaze when he saw smoke pouring from the attic. Local fire investigator James Gantt says the fire was confined to one part of the house, but the entire home had smoke and water damage. No one was hurt.

Submitted on 11/06/2008

Submitted by: Lisa S.
Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,448186,00.html 11-6-08

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Okay. Moron needs to clean house. There are a lot of dry spiderwebs around (read:tinder) so what's he use? A friggin' blowtorch! Could've burned the whole HOUSE down around his ears! Here's another link: http://my.earthlink.net/article/str?guid=20081106/491279d0_3426_1335020081106-5391311 Thanks, Lisa, and submit again!


Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Frankly I'm surprised this guy didn't break out the gasoline first and use that to try to do a little cleaning before breaking out the blowtorch. That likely would have gotten him into the running for a full DA. Thanks, Lisa!


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