Don't try this at home #3 - static electricity

[Andrew Fergus]

An Australian man's clothing built up so much static electricity that he set fire to carpet that has was walking on. See BBC news article here. Such a story almost belongs in Ripley's 'Believe it or not'.
Andrew

 

[PaddyD]

I was always trying to work out how I could put "Australian" and "bright spark" in the same sentence...

 

[Andrew Fergus]

Ha! Maybe it was Denis!

 

[milesUK]

I beleive they got the date wrong on that report;
surely it should have been 1st of April.

• - Why were the fire service carrying a meter capable of measureing 40kV (static)?
  - Electrical power surges are a myth portrayed by the media.
  - There would be so little energy present only a highly volatile substace would ignite.

Still; it made a good story!

 

[Andrew Fergus]

I agree it does seem far-fetched Miles. However, here's another Australian story for you (of the don't try this at home variety). An Australian man is almost crushed to death in a rubbish compacter after a night out drinking - read it here. That's the more typical Australian behaviour we have come to know and like...

Andrew :wink:

 

[milesUK]

Andrew, It's not just the Brits that have a reputation in the alcohol department. Cheers.