The basic article was about the emergency services asking people to think twice before dialling 999 over the festive period also included in the review of some of the more interesting calls answered across the district that included the following:

Fire officers have also had to deal with some unusual calls this year.

Sub-officer Pete Lau of Odsal fire Station recalled one incident this summer when a Bradford Moor man accidentally blew up his toilet after poring petrol into it to remove a blockage.

But his experiment had more of an effect than he bargained for - when he returned to the toilet to spend a penny while smoking a cigarette. "Having forgotten about the petrol, he threw his lit cigarette into the toilet bowl" said Sub-office Lau. "I suppose he was successful in removing the blockage because the entire toilet was destroyed by the explosion. He was lucky to have escaped with only singed hair." -- Sorry, only an Honourable Mention. If he had been sitting down he would probably have made it into the Darwin Awards!

From Telegraph and Argus 26 Dec 2003, Bradford West Yorkshire, UK

Submitted on 12/29/2003

Submitted by: Bob Adsett
Reference: Telegraph and Argus 26 Dec 03

Copyright © 2003 DarwinAwards.com

Jack said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Using gasoline/petrol to try and remove a toilet blockage? But perhaps he was trying blow out the blockage by the explosion. I'll go for a Honorable Mention on this one.

Charles said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Have to agree with Jack... despite the large number of fire / gasoline stories on the site, this one has the essential spark (sorry) that makes it worth retaining. The things people think will dissolve blockages in sewers is rather frightening.

Daniel said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common
Sorry, but stupid smoker (oxymoron?)events are legion.

Greg said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
The reference needs to be checked. This is quite similar to the "perfume in the toilet" UL that gets posted from time to time.

Darwin said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Um, this sounds like a really stilted write-up of a repeat, but wherever you got it, it's an amusing bit of humor, Bob Adsett. Thanks for the submission; I'll keep it on the Slush Pile, though it's not destined for the archives.