OT Texas man burned after using lighter to check fuel tank

colekicker · Mar 30, 2009

Wow! I can't believe someone would actually do this.

BY STAN FINGER
The Wichita Eagle
WICHITA - On your list of things to never, ever do, add this one: Using a lighter to check if your fuel tank is empty.

A 44-year-old man from Fort Worth stuck a lighter into the neck of his dump truck's fuel tank Sunday night to confirm that's why the engine died, authorities said.

Diesel fuel vapors in the tank ignited, causing a flash fire that burned his face and hands, Wichita Fire Department Lt. Stuart Bevis said. The incident happened on the Kansas Turnpike in south Wichita shortly after 9:30 p.m, he said.

The man walked to a convenience store at 2750 S. Oliver to report his injury and was transported to the burn unit of Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus.

He is in good condition today, a hospital spokeswoman said.

richardp3 · Mar 30, 2009

Hmmm... He must have been traveling to Texas from Arkansas or Oklamaha...

Hoss In ME · Mar 30, 2009

In good condition but brain dead! Hoss

twopop · Mar 30, 2009

my bonnie looked over the gas tank,the heights of the contents to see,she lit a small match to assist her.please bring back my bonnie to me.

twopop · Mar 30, 2009

did you hear about the guy that was vacuaming out a gas tank with a shop vac.

Gun guru · Mar 30, 2009

Real Dumb !!!!

Sounds like the 3 stooges working at the gas station.

Hey Moe, Gimmie a match. Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 30, 2009

Diesel, I thought the ceten or octane was so low it wouldent ignite by open flame? NO!

railhead · Mar 30, 2009

well Brainchild, he was in Kansas. GFY.

stevejd4000 · Mar 30, 2009

yeah remember that.

M w J · Mar 30, 2009

On an empty fuel tank just after running out of fuel if you look in there there is a fog of warm fuel vapors from the return fuel line returning fuel then when it goes empty it returns air with fuel makes the fog and it will explode. use a lite but not a lighter

Goose · Mar 30, 2009

I still like the one about the rocket scientist who tried to arc weld a live hand grenade to a chimney brush for a weight.

He made the Darwin awards.

Jim in LA · Mar 30, 2009

I hope the guy makes a full recovery, but....Here's Your Sign!

Billy NY · Mar 30, 2009

Sometime in the mid-late 90's, was listening to the radio while on the way to work in nyc, news story came on about some fool in the bronx that decided heating his gasoline on the stove would help his car start in the frigid temps, ended up burning up his apartment and himself, he ended up taking a dirt nap, another one from the bronx, a person had a large constrictor type snake, you know they make such a great pet, darned thing decided his owner was dinner, got him wrapped up and suffocated same...... no one said life would be easy, but you do have to use your head once in awhile !

kyplowboy · Mar 30, 2009

When I was in high school there was a group of kids looking for a place to party. Old oil tanks looked like a good spot. Some climbed on top some were setting around it. Some one on top decided they would sure enjoy a smoke. One girl I started kindergarden with was blown over 300', and was found in the tree she hit. 3 others also died. 5 or 6 others were in the hospital for up to a year and have been scared for life.

Dave

Anonymous-0 · Mar 31, 2009

Sounds about norm for a Texan!

phillip d · Mar 31, 2009

Reminds me of a few young @r$ holes a few years back stealing gas at a potato packaging wearhouse and lit a lighter to see.The whole place burned down to the ground,the two escaped.They were in their teens so just got a really good finger and head shading.The insurance wouldn't cover the loss of the building due to the circumstances,so the guy lost his life long investment and current lively hood,also put about a dozen people out of work.pd

james rumph · Mar 31, 2009

Back in the early 90s i was at Detroit Drag Way and saw something as bad.

There was a gentelmen with the float bowls laying off the Holley carb in gas soaked rags still hooked to the fuel lines. He was checking jets, floats etc with a lighter.

I know it is the fumes that really do it but liquid gas and rags and a open flame don't go together.

There wasn't a fire but i will never forget what i was watching "STUPID" ALL THE WAY.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 31, 2009

Was it ther guy 'Trker' that posts here? if so I guess its Dick Cheney's fault(LOL)

Brian G. NY · Mar 31, 2009

When I was about 18, a contractor hired me to watch a water pump over night at a bridge construction site to make sure it was kept full of gasoline and didn't stop for any reason. It was a large pump run by a 4 cyl. Continental engine. He left me with a kerosene
lantern. Along about 2:00 AM, I thought I'd better check the gas. Now you got to remember, this gas tank is mounted over the engine similar to most older farm tractors and the engine has been running for hours keeping that gas all shook up. I removed the gas cap with my right hand and moved the lantern over the hole to provide some light. Immediately, there was a 15 to 20 ft flamethrower coming out of that gas tank that lit up the countryside. Somehow, I had presence of mind enough to immediately screw that gas cap back on and lo and behold the fire went right out. Hardly even burned my hand but I walked around shaking like a leaf for quite awhile. The fact that I am now fast approaching 68 can probably be attributed to not having pulled any stupid stunts like that since. LOL I think I am one lucky man!!

NawlensGator · Mar 31, 2009

Sometimes you can't fix stupid. I wonder if he learned anything from this experience.

RobMD · Mar 31, 2009

But - how is this CHECKING your fuel level? Was he using it for a light? or what?

waltdavies · Mar 31, 2009

I new a kid once who looked down the barrel of a BB gun to see the BB come out. YUP! he is blind in that eye.
Stupid is Stupid but Dumb is just plain DUMB.
Walt

jbp · Mar 31, 2009

For us oldtimers;
He lit a match
to check the gas tank
thats why they call him
skinless Frank.
BURMA SHAVE

Chris in SK · Apr 1, 2009

Why is everyone talking about gas tanks and gas??? The post says diesel, and diesel is usually much less likely to go up. Maybe he was more unlucky than stupid? Should serve as a warning as I'm shaw we all take more chances with diesel than gas around ignition sources.
Chris

OT Texas man burned after using lighter to check fuel tank

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