I would never have thought until now that something as harmless as casually passing wind could cause so much devastation. It usually whiffs a bit at the most.
But after hearing that a patient's fart during a surgical procedure apparently sparked a fire, I will make sure that I take better care when next letting off a gas bomb.
The incident occurred on April 15 at the Tokyo Medical University Hospital in Shinjuku Ward, according to Ashai Shimbun.
A report recently released by the hospital ruled that it was a woman's gas leak that caused the fire.
The patient in her 30s was undergoing surgery, which involved applying a laser to her cervix (the lower part of the uterus).
She is believed to have passed wind after the laser was ignited. My knowledge in chemistry is limited to GCSE level but I'm guessing that surgical lasers and methane don't react well together.
"When the patient's intestinal gas leaked into the space of the operation (room), it ignited with the irradiation of the laser, and the burning spread, eventually reaching the surgical drape and causing the fire," the report said.
Apparently, the patient sustained burns to much of her body, including her waist and legs.
The woman is thought to have survived but her condition is unknown.
Featured image credit: White Chicks/Revolution Studios
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Fire, Hospital, Surgery