Scientist's Blowtorch Weed Killing Idea Backfires

A scientist using a mini-blowtorch to kill weeds accidentally incinerated his neighbours' front garden.

Robert Gailey, 79, watched in horror as sparks from a gas-powered garden tool caused the lawn and shrubs of his neighbours to catch lighfire. He had been using a Weed Wand, a $50 hand-held flaming device which burns weeds, to treat the driveway of his semi-detached home when it went out of the control.

Within seconds, the McLeans's manicured lawn and evergreen trees were aflame and Gailey's wife called the Fire Brigade.

Gailey, who holds a 1st in science from Glasgow University in the UK, was embarrassed about the blunder: "I had been using the Weed Wand to get rid of weeds on my driveway. A couple of sparks had come off and before I knew it they had started a blaze in the garden next door."

"I may be over 70 but I ran to get the hose from my back garden but unfortunately the flames had taken hold."

"Thankfully, no damage was done to any of the houses and the bill for the repair work has been agreed on between myself and the neighbours."

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