My former secretary had a terrible thing happen to her and her family last week, and I wanted to share it with all of you so that you could be warned and warn your friends and family as well. She had a gel candle burning in her bathroom...it exploded and caught her house on fire...the house burned down and they have lost everything. The fire marshal told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas, and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed what wasn't destroyed by fire. I know that there are roomies and friends that I don't have on this list because I can't remember how to spell their screen names...please pass this along to anyone I missed. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. Her family is devastated. All their mementos and everything of value and meaning are gone. I'm not trying to bring anyone down...just a friendly warning to all of you about the use of gel candles left unattended. Thanks and take care! NOTE: Marty and I know a lady who loves the gel candles. She had one burning on her mantle and it caught fire just like in the message above. She was at home at the time and saw it happen and grabbed the candle to keep it from setting her home on fire and it came apart in her hand. She saved her home but suffered 3rd degree burns to her hand and 3 fingers! Please, if you or anyone you know have these candles, don't light them, they are dangerous. Please, pass this on.

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-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Answers

The toilet blew up?

sounds like an Urban Legend to me.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Yep. Sounds like one to me, too, Barefoot.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

What I think may have happened, not that I'm an expert, is that the porcelain, in the intense heat, cracked or shattered with an explosive noise.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Kona's research on the candles

Kona remembered something about these candles, she found some info in Safety recalls.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Never light a fart with a gel candle, didn't they know that?

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001