Fart lighting contest goes horribly wrong

by Sandy Maple (Subscribe to Sandy Maple's posts)
Aug 22nd 2008 2:00PM

Filed under: Teens, Health & Safety: Babies, In The News, Weird But True

Fart-lighting has probably been around since early man discovered fire. After all, what could be more entertaining than combining something smelly and gross with something flaming and hot? Whether that first fart ignition was deliberate or unintentional, fart-lighting for fun has stood the test of time and for some kids, become a competitive sport.

But it is a dangerous game and should not be played, as a 12-year-old boy in the UK found out. He may have won the fart-lighting competition with his cousin, but he paid a heavy price for victory. He not only managed to light his toot, but a nearby can of gas as well. The gas ignited in a flash and the boy was burned on the backs of his legs and thumb.

By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had burned itself out, but the kid was hospitalized with burns over 18 percent of his body. Fire commander Paul Harpin says this is the first time he's been on a call for a fart-lighting incident and warns others against trying it themselves. "I think he must have won the competition but he will have some nasty burns now. It is a warning not to mess around with fire," he added.