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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Smoking in bedrooms is bad enough

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

A MOUNT Gambier woman has warned the community against cleaning lawnmowers in bedrooms while smoking. Lauren Goldsworthy was treated for smoke inhalation on Wednesday afternoon after a lawnmower exploded in a spare bedroom of her home in Stafford Street. Ms Goldsworthy said she tipped the lawnmower over to clean it when fuel spilled out onto the floor. "I dropped my cigarette from my mouth and the next moment there was this huge explosion," she said. "The flames went into my face and scorched my hair and then it spread all over the room and burned my vacuum cleaner, the walls, the ceiling and some photos. "I tried my best to put the fire out, I grabbed loose carpets and threw it onto the fire, but the flames just kept spreading." Ms Goldsworthy said although she had been convicted of arson before, this time it was an accident. "I swear, this time I did not do it," she said. "I was convicted of arson when was 18 because I set fire to a curtain in the house to get help when I was being physically abused." Ms Goldsworthy said she wanted to warn others to be careful when cleaning lawnmowers. Metropolitan Fire Service South East regional manager George Rodis echoed her warning. "Please, no smoking when working with lawnmowers and certainly not inside the house," he said. Mr Rodis said although most of the fire had been extinguished by the time he had arrived on the scene, the blaze caused an estimated damage of $5000.

I've also confirmed this with the reporter that wrote the story - Anelia Blackie, reachable at "firstname"@tbw.com.au

Submitted on 08/12/2008

Submitted by: Paul Utry
Reference: The Border Watch (country newspaper in South Australia) - page 4, Friday August 8

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Ummm...where was this lady when common sense was being handed out? Thing is, I think she's not telling how stupid she really was; it takes more than a tiny spill of gas to make a huge explosion. Either there was a LOT of gas on the ground or a lot of gas vapor in the air. Or both. Since there's no mention of an ongoing arson investigation, I'll give this the benefit of the doubt. Thanks, Paul!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Since she survived she really only qualifies for an Honorable Mention, but she certainly is deserving of it. I don't know about you but I certainly wouldn't use the spare bedroom to repair my lawnmower. Thanks, Paul!

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