Dumbass

Firefighter killed after using lighter to check gas

ATHENS (AP) - A volunteer firefighter was killed in an explosion caused when he allegedly used a lighter to check the gas tank of a fire truck while filling it up with fuel, authorities said today.

Another firefighter was also injured in the explosion late last night, police said.

Volunteer firefighter Spyros Dimopoulos, 45, and professional firefighter Yiannis Rouskas had been filling the truck's gas tank at a firefighting station in the central Greek province of Fthiotida.

Dimopoulos allegedly used a lighter to check on the level of fuel in the tank. He sustained burns over 40 per cent of his body in the ensuing explosion, and died while being transported to a hospital, authorities said.

Rouskas, who was a few metres away from the truck at the time of the explosion, sustained first degree burns on his face, chest and abdomen and was reported in stable condition in hospital.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001