‘Foolish prank’ causes gas blast at school
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/05/2002 (8841 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Three Selkirk students face criminal charges and have been suspended after a prank gone awry caused an explosion Thursday at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive School.
The fiery blast sent a fourth student to hospital with first- and second-degree burns to his arm, caused when he ignited an acetylene gas-filled rubber glove that had been tied on a locker in the school’s hallway.
“It was a very foolish prank that young people do from time to time,” school principal Burt Skogan said yesterday.
“You hope to impart on young people through teaching and education the dangers of these gases. It’s elementary science, for goodness sake.”
RCMP Const. Dwayne Cebryk said the three students, two 19-year-olds and a 17-year-old, were charged with intent to cause an explosion.
The three allegedly siphoned gas off a tank in the welding shop, then asked the 17-year-old victim to light it.
Justin Shachtay, a Grade 12 student who knew the youths involved, said there was no malice intended by the prank, that it was a case of goofing around gone wrong.
Students said no blast was heard during the 11:30 a.m. incident.
Instead, witnesses said the gas ignited like a propane barbecue, forming a fireball that left a black, sooty stain on the locker and a stink in the hallway.
Students also said the victim’s face was tanned by the blast, but just his arms were burned.
Acetylene gas is extremely flammable and explosive and is used to cut and weld metal.
“There was a catastrophic potential under the circumstances,” said Cebryk.
After the incident, the victim was rushed to hospital and treated for his burns. School officials called Mounties and the three students were arrested.
Skogan said no changes have been made to school policy, such as increased supervision of students by staff.
He said the school, like others, repeatedly warns students about the hazards of working with gases in science labs and shops classes.
He also said staff members warn students about the dangers of fireworks, but that each year a young person is injured by fireworks.
Skogan said the three students will remain suspended for an indefinite period of time. School officials plan to meet with RCMP next week to discuss the issue and whether further action is required.
bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca
maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca