[ryan71]

Salt water + Battery terminals = Shorted Batteries = Fire

[Joe 6-pack]

Reminds me of a vending machine in my dorm hall in college. Somebody figured out that if you pumped a turkey baster full of salt water into the coin slot you could get a free soda.

As time passed, you'd see more and more people wandering down the hall to the vending machines with a turkey basted load with salt water every time they wanted a soda. Eventually, there was a thick crust of salt on the front of the vending machine under the coin slot, but for some reason, the vending company kept loading it up with sodas.

One night it burst into flames.

Go figure.

[radiohead]

Thanks. My little mind was having problems with the whole ‘submerged then caught on fire’ thing.

[GonzoGOP]

Old submariners will tell you that getting salt water in the batteries was usually a lethal combination. Not only do you get a short, but you also get hydrogen gas and molecular O2. If the gasses can pocket bad things happen.