CHICAGO (AP) -- A curious 19-year-old man suffered severe head injuries after a fire hydrant cap he blasted into the air with a powerful firecracker fell down on his head, police said Sunday.
The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center with injuries to his head and one of his eyes, police spokesman Matthew Jackson said.
He was listed in critical condition at the hospital Sunday night, police said.
Illinois Masonic would provide no information.
The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on the city's northwest side.
The man lit an M-100 firecracker underneath the metal cap, which had already been removed from the hydrant, because he wanted to see how high he could launch it into the air, Jackson said.
But when the explosive detonated, the cap shot up into the air then landed on his head, Jackson added.
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