Man sets self ablaze using chainsaw to open gas tank

Ottawa Citizen ^ | April 20, 2006 | Susan Mohammad

[headsonpikes]

An Ottawa man is in serious condition and was airlifted to the burn unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto after accidentally setting himself on fire yesterday morning while trying to cut open a gas tank with a chainsaw....

[headsonpikes]

I've rarely seen a more self-explanatory headline.

[headsonpikes]

We always go a little crazy up here come Cup time!

[kx9088]

Darwin front runner!

[American Quilter]

Darwin award candidate!

[American Quilter]

Ya beat me by 2 seconds!

[null and void]

I've rarely seen a more self-explanatory headline.

Headline? I thought it was the whole story!

[TommyDale]

If this guy lived in the U.S., he would be a Democrat.

[MadeInAmerica]

I know it's not PC....but this is FUNNY!

[kx9088]

LOL!

[fanfan]

LMAO this morning when I heard about it on the radio.

Gotta feel for the guy's burns, but, LOL!

[Paradox]

Not quite a contender really. Usually darwin awards are open to younger guys (this guy was 62 years old, and while he is technically able to breed, it probably aint likely).

[HOTTIEBOY]

""""I've rarely seen a more self-explanatory headline.""""

Right. No need to read any further. I supposed now all gas tanks will come with a warning label.

[stylecouncilor]

[alloysteel]

Stupidity is the one universal crime, and one for which there is no escaping the punishment.

Everybody knows the only proper way to open a gas tank is to use a cutting torch.

[dogcaller]

Shoulda read the warning label in the chain saw brochure...everyone I know wears a reflective foil pullover when doing this.

[jdm]

I bet he got the tank to open, though.

[RedBeaconNY]

?!?!? Mr. Hill put out the fire. He drove himself about 100 meters across the road to a farmhouse where a startled female resident called 911.

Last I checked, you can't put out a gas fire with water. This is a little ridiculous...

[elkfersupper]

Should have used a cutting torch.

[jazusamo]

[Everybody knows the only proper way to open a gas tank is to use a cutting torch.]

The people that use the wrong tools for a job always did upset me.

[Toby06]

[Toby06]

We always go a little crazy up here come Cup time!

Why, is there some kind of annual replacement ritual up there?

[sully777]

Red Green: There are two kinds of people: those who do things and those who write manuals.

[headsonpikes]

"Headline? I thought it was the whole story!"

---

Okay, here's the rest for the link-averse:


The Ottawa Fire Department said 62-year-old Stanley Hill had been doing some cleanup work on a rural property at 4679 Ridge Rd., off Walkley Road, about 10 a.m. when, they believe, a spark from the saw caused a small explosion and a flash of fire to spread up his body and head.

Mr. Hill put out the fire. He drove himself about 100 meters across the road to a farmhouse where a startled female resident called 911. Paramedics treated him for second- and third-degree burns to his face, head, chest, back, arms and legs.

Mr. Hill was able to tell paramedics what had happened.

The black GMC pickup truck he used to go across the street for help sat in the driveway yesterday afternoon. Ottawa police were still on the scene, where old cars and farm equipment, rusted to a red skeleton, lay strewn around the patch of scorched grass where a small fire had been started after the incident.

J.P. Trottier, a spokesman for Ottawa Paramedic Services, said the man was likely hired to do maintenance work on the property and was alone when the incident occurred.

"His condition this morning was serious," he said, adding such injuries tend to worsen. Mr. Trottier said he couldn't comment further on the man's condition, or the extent of his injuries, but did say the man was able to talk to medics.

"He (said) a spark from the chainsaw ignited the fuel. It just went up. I know he took off some of his clothes, because they were burning."

Ottawa District Fire Chief Lyle Fraser said he doubts the man will be released from hospital soon, adding that Mr. Hill was first taken to the General campus of the Ottawa Hospital for "fairly extensive burns."

"I couldn't see them releasing him soon. There's always a risk of infection, too," he said.

Fire officials believed they were responding to an explosion, and Mr. Fraser said several trucks were sent, but the small fire behind the shed was put out quickly.

At the scene, Ottawa police Sgt. Wayne Bell said the incident was ruled as an accident. He also said the machine shed and farmhouse across the road sits on property owned by the National Capital Commission, but is being leased by a long-time resident.

There was no property damage as a result of the fire.

© The Ottawa Citizen 2006

[null and void]

I meant with a headline like that, who needs the rest of the story...

[headsonpikes]

I like the very last line of the story, evidently designed to put our fears to rest:

"There was no property damage as a result of the fire."

That reporter has Montgomery Burns-style priorities!

[Born Conservative]

Hold muh beer!

[windcliff]

I guess he didn't think it through enough.

[Clive]

-

[Fair Go]

This guy has to be a Liberal voter!

[fanfan]

Nah!

NDP.

[Fair Go]

I overlooked them.

[Heatseeker]

I'd say he's Liberal leadership material!

[Candor7]

Mrs. Stanley Hill prays for hubbies recovery.