Fire Extinguisher Part Flies Quarter Mile, Strikes Conn. House

Aug. 28, 2013
A machine operator was cutting beams when he sliced into the extinguisher sending it flying.

PLAINVILLE, Conn. -- Connecticut officials say part of a fire extinguisher flew nearly a quarter-mile through the air into a house after a workplace accident. No one was injured.

Plainville firefighters say a machine operator cutting beams at a metal recycling company Tuesday afternoon didn't see the extinguisher, and the machine cut into the extinguisher and caused it to explode.

Tom Orvis says he was in his kitchen when he heard a loud noise. He says he went outside and saw pieces of roof on his lawn. There also was a small hole in his roof. Authorities found the partial extinguisher more than 200 yards from the house.

Orvis says a worker from the JW Green Co. apologized to him, and the company offered to fix the damage.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!