RICHMOND, Maine — A Sabattus man required 17 stitches above his right eye after he tried to dry out water-drenched fireworks with a torch and a tube went off, said Sgt. Ken Grimes of the state fire marshal’s office.
Jason Douglass, 34, was setting off fireworks Saturday night on the front lawn of a relative’s house on Lancaster Road in Richmond, according to Grimes. He lit off a cake of fireworks, which has multiple tubes in the same package.
After the cake had fired, Douglass was dousing it with water when he noticed that several of the tubes didn’t go off, said Grimes. He then attempted to dry out the unused portion with a torch when one of the tubes went off unexpectedly.
“One went off before he expected it and it hit him in the head, right about the right eye,” said Grimes. “He had quite a large laceration to his forehead as well as a possible eye injury.”
Douglass was taken to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, where he was treated and then released.
Grimes said Douglass required 17 stitches above his right eye and that his contact lens had melted to his eye because of the heat generated from the firework.
It’s the most significant injury Grimes has seen because of fireworks in quite some time, he said.
“We’ve had smaller incidents, but I haven’t seen an injury of this magnitude for the past several years,” said Grimes.
Grimes asked those using fireworks to use extra caution.
“Please follow the directions on the devices,” said Grimes. “Be aware of your surroundings and have a safe Fourth of July.”
……
Any way to sue Governor LaPage for your injury since his legislation wanted fireworks legal???
Any way to sue people for lack of personal responsibility? You can’t fix stupid.
Unfortunately happens all the time in this country – why else would McDonald’s coffee cups read “Caution: Contents Hot”
and may I say DUH!
You’re preaching to the choir John doesn’t get it
Mr, Lepage doesn’t write laws.. politics 001
You are correct, he can’t introduce legislation, we have Doug Damon to thank for that bill. Howver our Governor did prohibit the Fire Marshall from testifying at the hearings on the proposed bill. Mr. Lepage has some ownership of this law any way one looks at it.
He has ownership because he ran on freedom and personal responsiblity that Goverment shouldn’t be everything to everyone. When are we going to take ownership of our own lives. Why should Augusta and now Washington be everything to everyone. Look at where it has gotten us a state that has no jobs, a huge shortfall every single year with a out of control Welfare and Nanny State. Now Washington is headed in the same direction under NOBAMA. Is that what we want. I don’t think so. Mainers have been using fireworks for decades with it being illegal and it hasn’t stopped us and it won’t now. I expect you will see bottle rockets etc. legal soon because it was on the news last night these fireworks stores majority of folks are asking for them.
“A Sabattus man required 17 stitches above his right eye after he tried to dry out water-drenched fireworks with a torch and a tube went off,”
_______________________________________________
Here’s your sign.
Drying out undetonated fireworks with a torch? I’ll nominate this guy for a Darwin Award. It’d be interesting to know exactly what he expected would happen.
The sort of lad that would use a lighter to see how much gas he has in his lawn mower. You know, the kind that would take long steps so’s not to wear out his $5 shoes, and rip his $10 pants…..
I was thinking of the lawn mower gas example before you mentioned it…thanks for the chuckle!
I would assume his injuries were caused by the torch hitting him when he reacted to the bang of the firecracker going off. How else could he have melted his contact lens? But don’t blame legal fireworks, blame stupidity.
It’s the stupid people in this world that make the dangerous stunts look dangerous. The rest of us know what we’re doing.
It wasn’t a firecracker that had misfired it was a multi-shot repeater cakes that have numerous shells etc.. So it was stupid knowing that he had numerous shells that didn’t go off he should have done what most folks do . Very carefully leave the firework alone, then take a shovel very carefully and slowly put it into a bucket of water and leave it alone for the night then take it somewhere in a container the next day and get rid of it. Never use a blow torch or lighter trying to set it off again if it is something wrong. Just a stupid move to do.
hahaha!
One has to eliminate himself from the gene pool to be eligible for a Darwin Award.
He could get an honorable mention though.
Bwahahah
BIG FIRE IN PORTLAND THIS HOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS BLOCKED OFF
FIREWORKS BURN APARTMENT HOUSE
KIDS HAD TO BE RESCUED
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Congress-Street-closed-as-firefighters-battle-blaze.html
You should call the BDN and let them know.
sparklers,, they sell them at most store and have do so for years.. go bite a different subject pitbull
The kids lit the sparklers with a toaster in their bedroom because they saw mommy light her butts that way. Do you propose banning toasters now? Toast, perhaps?
Douglas!!! Trying to dry off a cake of fireworks with a torch!!! At 34 years of age!! C’mon man…..you deserve anything and everything that will ever be said about this “mishap”….Crazy….
Another one of those freak accidents we’re hearing so much about. Nobody could possibly have seen that coming.
Insurance companies are seeing it and they will adjust property insurance accordingly.
Oh yeah, like we forgot that insurance companies run our lives now.
Evan people who don’t choose to use fireworks will pay extra for those who use them. It will be like a “tax” on those who choose not to use fireworks.
Sound familiar?
How true. Just waiting for the “Huh?” comments to start.
Huh?
How about a list of activities you enjoy doing? I’m sure I will be able to find at least some that have an element of risk that could be eliminated if we just banned the activity.
Do you text?
Mainegal probably drinks those large sodas that Bloomberg doesn’t want anyone drinking in NYC. Or has a secret penchant for Hershey bars or Doritos.
And those who don’t drink will pay extra for those who do, and those who don’t smoke will pay extra for those who do, and those who don’t text and drive will pay extra for those who do, and those who have no children will pay extra for those who do…see how this goes?
And those who don’t have health insurance will pay for those who do?Huh?
Actually yes. I do not have health insurance due to the brilliant planning of the progressive socialists.
You have to take responsibility for your own health care. No more free riders under Obomneycare.
I don’t believe in free riders. That’s why I have no health insurance. It is no longer available to me as I can’t afford it, and I don’t think you nor anyone else should be forced to pay for my health care. Quite a concept, hey?
If you have no health insurance you are a free rider.
If you can’t afford it, it will be offered according to your ability to pay.
If you don’t want health insurance, you don’t have to buy it.
All who decide not to buy health insurance, will pay a penalty for being a free rider.
Before Obomneycare(ACA), free riders obtained emergency care without insurance, which was then picked up by those who were insured.
No. I am not a free rider. Obamacare will force you to pay for me. Right now you are not paying for me. And I am not a free rider. I pay my bills. I don’t expect you to pay my bills. That is not your responsibility.
just wondering how many car accidents get reported weekly, maybe we should ban them because a whole lot more people hurt because they cant drive or do stupid things in cars also.
Another entry in the “He just made a mistake, stop judging” category.
1+1=3. That’s a mistake. Using a torch to dry out your fireworks is just plain dumb.
Exactly! When you do something intentionally it’s not a mistake.
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Jason, did you flunk rocket science?
Please try to remember that the thousands of people who get into their cars and drive to work everyday in the State of Maine without incident do not make the news. It’s the occasional person who’s involved in an accident on the way to work that gets reported. Drivers occasionally make foolish mistakes or do something stupid that results in personal injury and/or property damage. It’s no different with fireworks.
How many children are behind the steering wheels of those cars? Fireworks hurt lots of unsupervised kids.
This was not a kids that did this
And State law as it’s written forbids the sale to anyone under 21, and makes use or possession by anyone under 21 a violation – same as before the current law was approved by the legislature. That’s not to say that kids won’t get hold of them. If kids can get beer and cigarettes(and we know that they can), they can certainly get fireworks if they try. Before the current law became effective, kids had to obtain them from another state or an adult.
It’s against the law for kids to have fireworks in the first place, so who’s fault is it if your kid gets hurt? Anything except requiring parents to have a little responsibility for their kids right?
So does smoking be we can’t all be responsible adults now, can we ??
No, this is stupidity on the part of the person who decided to try to dry off fireworks with a torch. The world is full of stupid people, and unfortunately Maine seems to have more than its share.
Very true. It also explains why Paul LePage is our governor.
you mean why Obama is president
He seems like the type that would store his gas can in the kitchen oven.
This BOZO is going to taint the new fireworks law in Maine and spoil it for the rest of us who maybe are safety oriented. Unreal A TORCH Please!!
THIS BOZO? How many more do you think are out there?
Quite A Few Unfortunately!!
i say call jason call joe bornstien , and sue the fireworks
business owner back to his old job as a walmart greeter
“with a torch”
“went off unexpectedly.”
Ummmm…..yeeeaaaah…..
“It’s the most significant injury Grimes has seen because of fireworks in quite some time”
Stick around Sarge–this is only the beginning.
“He then attempted to dry out the unused portion with a torch when one of the tubes went off unexpectedly.”
Yeah, I never would have expected that to happen…
They don’t give Darwin Awards to people who survive their stunt. Nice effort though:
He tried to dry out water-drenched fireworks with a torch and a tube went off.
Think about this for a bit. First, someone left the fireworks where they would get soaking wet. Then, well, you get the rest.
Not sure you read the article completely, as “After the cake had fired, Douglass was dousing it with water when he noticed that several of the tubes didn’t go off, said Grimes.” But, one can only wonder where he does store them.
If he’d have blown his testicles off, rendering himself sterile, he’d be in the running.
I think a child would know better than that! Stupid is as stupid does.
If it needs 17 stitches, it’s not a mishap.
You can’t fix stupid, no matter how much duct tape you use.
Fund science eduation.
Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.
I’m speechless for the first time in my life and I’m wiping up the coffee I spit out of my mouth. WOW. Melted a contact to his eye… Thanks for educating others on not what to do.
And let the games begin. Hope the ers are ready.
‘He then attempted to dry out the unused portion with a torch when one of the tubes went off unexpectedly.’ Unexpectedly……. REALLY? Let’s look at the equation shall we: Fireworks + torch = fireworks DUH.
there seems to be shortage of pro-fireworks posters today
They’re out having FUN…Try it sometime…If you dare to get out from behind NANNY’s skirt…LOL…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Kh7nLplWo
….”dry out the unused portion with a torch” Hello….hello….what do you think makes them go off?? fire…..
So if people do stupid thing with cars we should ban cars
No, under State law we ban the people from driving who do stupid things with cars such as reckless driving, driving to endanger, etc. by lifting their driving priveliges.
Yes, and if people do stupid things with governorships, we should ban LePew.
Wow did you think that one up all by your lonesome? Or did you have help?
Wolly if these extreme libs on here had their chance they would have life as we know it cease to exist. We would all be on Welfare with Augusta holding our hands, and they would have us all turn into Treehugging Liberals supporting Quimby’s park. As I told you numerous times they use scare tactics on Casinos (more are coming ), Waterfront Concert Series (Noise issues etc), now this foolishness with Fireworks. If it wasn’t working you wouldn’t have about a dozen fireworks stores with business booming at all of the stores with more coming. These folks have lost because they have been whiners and have been moaning since LePage and Republicans took office on day 1. I love it when you hear the complainers whine. Liberals don’t like it when Freedom and Personal Responsibility wins. I never thought I would see the day that happened.
Yes that’s very true that shows you what kind of life they have
I really, really, really do feel bad for this guy. But I confess, I had a belly laugh reading about his dumb stunt. Who the heck would think of drying out an explosive by using a torch? Was he sober? I wonder how many more of these stories we’ll be reading on July 5th. I heard on the news this evening that the fireworks sellers hope people will use them year round…..after all, you don’t have to worry about setting anything afire if you’re on a frozen lake. That is, unless you try drying out your wet fireworks with a torch.
This guy is a fine example why we need Obamacare. He should have health insurance if he’s going to use the ER, lest the rest of us have to foot his bills. And he does seem the sort to need an ER real close.
so..is lepage going to visit this victim? how about
the 2 kids in portland,is he going to visit them?
Since you cant buy fireworks without an ID, perhaps they should start a running list of IDIOTS who’ve proven they cant be trusted with fireworks, right next to the cash register would be great, and ban said idiots from future sales. This time it was his own eye. Don’t give him a second chance at someone elses.
More regulation! Maybe the AAA office can take over this responsibility along with the driver’s license renewals, a little sticker on the back of the license that reads No Fireworks for YOU! You guys crack me up.
Stay tuned for more stupid human acts with fireworks this week.
lets blame fireworks!
DEFECTIVE FIREWORKS?
read the story more carefully
initially,the fireworks did not go off completely.
maybe these fireworks stores are selling defective
fireworks?
Here’s your sign.
Ban ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles because accidents happen with those also, and they cost money too. There are better ways to bash the governor than that.
Jason, a torch? Jeez, man, use the microwave.
So what you are saying mainegal is that up until this year, no one has ever been hurt by fireworks in the State of Maine? Really? And I thought the guy drying his fireworks with a torch was stupid but then came you.
I just have 3 words…”Dee Dee Dee!!” Stupid would be an upgrade….That is like test dud bombs with a hammer….I wonder if he said to somebody there….”Hey hold my beer and watch this” LOL
Nice try. This is about taking apart the Nanny State that has been imposed on Maine citizens for 4o years by Extreme Radical Liberals who think Augusta is the answer to everything. John Dean is about as credible as Libby Mitchell would be on most issues. Neither have a clue about anything. The guy is nothing more than an extreme left wing government hack . Who in his time as fire marshall under King and Baldacci tried to impose every new rule he could find upon Maine residents. I am surprised LePage didn’t fire him when he got into office. He should have gotten the ax years ago. The guy got what he deserved for his ignorance and stupidity .
This is exactly why the legislature should never have legalized fireworks.
you can’t legislate stupidity.
punishing the populace for the mistakes of a few isn’t justifiable.
I am sure no one will read this or give it a moments consideration, but at NO point was he trying to dry out explosives with a torch. While you all are laughing at someone elses expense and the BDN’s inccorect information (he did not try to dry them out nor was his contact also did not adhere to his eye), I am simply grateful that he is alive and the damage wasn’t much worse. You will all hide behind your computers and make snide comments, but this is a person with family who have been through enough. So please reconsider your words before hurling names, insults and jokes.
here is what i wrote[see below] as i blamed the fireworks item.
your fellow fireworks-loving posters in this forum
blamed jason.
i am con fireworks, i did not blame jason
the pro-fireworks posters blamed one of their own:jason
compare the mentally of me versus the
mentality of pro-fireworks people..what does that tell ya?
————————–
“DEFECTIVE FIREWORKS?
read the story more carefully initially,the
fireworks did not go off completely.”
Pitbull
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If it didn’t happen this way then perhaps the BDN owes an explanation to its readers.