Posted on 04/23/2010 7:48:37 AM PDT by JoeProBono
MULLION, England, - A British 15-year-old is being credited with saving his father's life by using a bottle of Coke to extinguish flames that engulfed him.
Andrew Wythe, 52, of Mullion, England, said he was pouring gasoline on a garden bonfire Sunday when the flames grew to engulf the front of his body, The Sun reported Thursday.
He said he ran toward his son, Nicholas, 15, for help and the teenager grabbed a two liter bottle of Coca-Cola, shook it up and sprayed the contents on his father.
"The fire went out straight away," Wythe said. "He's a very level-headed boy. Without Nicholas it would have been a lot worse, without a doubt. I was lucky really."
Wythe said he suffered burns to his neck, chest and ears and will require skin grafts.
That’s an oldie, but still a goodie.......
Glad you enjoyed it too.
You coulda dumped the Sprite into my damn sippee-cup!
My uncle died pouring gasoline on a brush fire. Yes, I guess it was a stupid thing to do. The fire traveled up the gas stream and hit the gas can and exploded all over him. He did stop, drop and roll, but the fire was too strong and he burned to death.
As for your uncle ... I intend to honour his memory, and the memory of others like him, by NOT pouring flammable liquids on fires. It's tempting sometimes, like when it's cold and the grill is slow getting started, but it's still a bad idea.
The fire traveled up the gas stream and hit the gas can
Yep. That's the usual failure mode. Professional brush firefighters use a firecan to set backfires ... the fire can has a flame arrestor and uses heavy fuel to prevent explosions.
Coke adds life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.