Taser hits lighter, ignites man

[K9Remco]

Anyone else have this happen before? Long story short, I tased a guy the other day and when I tased him (in his lower abdomen),flames immediately arose on his chest and stomach..other officers were there and he was quickly brought to the ground and the fire was put out. it was later discovered that one of the probes had entered the pocket of his lightweight coat, and struck a small BIC lighter that he had in his pocket...just wondering if anyone else has had this happend before??..

[fordman318]

No. Sounds like a freak accident to me. Hope you got it on video. Thats one for the books.

[JSD73]

And he shall be called...............SPARKY!

[K9Remco]

yeah talk about a freak deal...we all wondered WTF just happened!!

[TrafficHappy]

Never happened to me, but a corrections deputy at the jail lit up a transient when he got brought in for DOC.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I haven't seen it, but that's a neat story. Sounds like y'all did good job getting him put out quickly.

[suprtrpr]

talk about taking "the ride"

[NightStix]

Just for food for thought. You may want to let taser know. Wouldn't hurt as I've never heard of that either. Could pose a rather "big" problem if you or someone else was not able to put the fire out.

[DAL]

Another health hazard of smoking, apparently.

I think the lighters need a warning label telling users to obey police commands while carrying the lighter.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

It's my opinion that I don't think TASER would care all that much. All their training modules tell people to not activate the device around flammable liquids. If the liquids are concealed and they get punctured during a deployment, you get the OP's story. Nothing they as a manufacturer can do about that.

[NightStix]

It's my opinion that I don't think TASER would care all that much. All their training modules tell people to not activate the device around flammable liquids. If the liquids are concealed and they get punctured during a deployment, you get the OP's story. Nothing they as a manufacturer can do about that.

Ahhh I see. I'm not issued one so therefore I didnt know that they give you the warnings about flammables. I do know that for every death involving a taser is a NIGHTMARE!! Reports galore!

[K9Remco]

yeah I have done some research and I think there have been a couple other instances where similar things have happened (subject doused with gas, starts fire, lighter in pocket, etc..) although it seems in those circumstances the outcome was worse (severe burns, etc..). Still its a great story to tell and I dont think I would've believed it happened without the 3 other officers that saw it too

[slinger2424]

I tased a guy the other day and when I tased him (in his lower abdomen),flames immediately arose on his chest and stomach..

This is exactly why we switched from Alcohol based to Water based OC. What a bad day that would be.

[BPD_126]

I haven't heard of that one yet. We just got the notice about the low freq. radios setting off the cartridges though. I guess it's ONLY if you're xmitting, have the taser 1-3 inches from the antenna in the "ON" position it apparently has a high risk of "activating" itself.....

Someone try it and let me know..... LOL

[Nightshift va]

Anyone else have this happen before? Long story short, I tased a guy the other day and when I tased him (in his lower abdomen),flames immediately arose on his chest and stomach..other officers were there and he was quickly brought to the ground and the fire was put out. it was later discovered that one of the probes had entered the pocket of his lightweight coat, and struck a small BIC lighter that he had in his pocket...just wondering if anyone else has had this happend before??..

hey wasn't that an episode of CSI las vegas? I saw that one.
Only thing is butane isn't near as bad as alcohol used in various OC Spray..thats why everyone has that weak watered down OC now cause of taser use.