Teen injured after setting own shorts afire repeatedly

Daily Herald (Chicago) ^ | 9-23-2002 | Kat Zeman

[Cagey]

After setting his shorts on fire to prove his courage, a Roselle teen ended up at Sherman Hospital in Elgin Saturday suffering from second-degree burns, police said.

The 16-year-old Roselle boy and two friends - a Roselle 16-year-old and an Elgin 15-year-old - smeared their shorts with gasoline around 10 p.m. Saturday and took turns lighting each other in the back yard of an Elgin home, Elgin police said.

Then they would drop down to the ground, roll and attempt to extinguish themselves, Elgin police said.

"They continued to do this for three rounds," said Elgin officer Mike Sullivan. "The shorts were drenched in so much gasoline that they were unable to extinguish it anymore. To the best of our understanding, it was some kind of a challenge."

The Roselle teen suffered second degree burns from his waist down, Sullivan said. He was treated and released. No charges were filed.

"Each one of them participated by their own free will," Sullivan said. "Being totally stupid is not a crime."

[Cagey]

Liar, Liar!

[Inge_CAV]

I suppose they attend a "Pubic School"!!!

[Cagey]

Not any more they don't.

[Inge_CAV]

"Not any more they don't."

Ya think they graduated??

[Inge_CAV]

Wish we had a public school teacher here to explain what this is all about. : )

[Cagey]

I think they singed their pubic school down to bare skin.

[Inge_CAV]

Guess that beats shaving or Nair...........

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

In the 70's we wore hot pants, but they weren't THIS hot............

[Inge_CAV]

I dunno, at the time I thought that was pretty close....... : )

[Cagey]

In the 70's we wore hot pants,

Before my time.

[Inge_CAV]

I also remember seeing Joey Heatherton wearing the shortest mini-skirt while she was on a small windy Pacific Island. I was awaiting the next strong breeze with anticipation.

Of course it never came.......... : (

[2Trievers]

Quite easy to explain guys ... It's Fire Prevention Month .. has it been that long for you? The fire truck pulls up to the school and everyone gets to climb aboard? Wear the fireman's hat? Draw posters? The firefighter tells you to "Stop, Drop and Roll!" These kids are just reliving their youth ... ah ... youth. Wasted gasoline. &;-)

[Inge_CAV]

Fire Proof Underwear!!!

What a great idea......... : )

[Cagey]

Joey Heatherton? One of the biggest surprises of my life was when I found out her dad was the "Merry Mailman." I'm sure 2T's remembers him. He had a kids show out of New York. I even remember his opening song!

Joey Heatherton, daughter of the Merry Mailman! I am still devistated.

[rmlew]

Repeat idiots.
These guys are well on their way to winning a Darwin Award.

[Cagey]

Is it October in CT already? I thought Fire Prevention Month was October. I'm reporting you to the Principle, 2T's! I hope you have Tenure.

[Inge_CAV]

All I remember was that the skirt was soooooo short........

I have seen Texans wear belts that would cover more than her skirt. : )

[Cagey]

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Call me, I'll explain hot pants to you youngster......... lol

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Yes, they were pretty hot back then, but they've kind of cooled since............. hip huggers and thongs kind of beat them out I think..........