Shocking incident sends innocent shoppers to hospital after Bunnings visit
- Replies 22
It was a typical day at a hardware store in a quiet town, where shoppers browsed for their next project.
But the routine suddenly took a turn when an incident involving a hazardous substance triggered emergency responses, sending some to the hospital and forcing the store to close.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the event.
The incident, which sounds like something out of a bizarre prank gone wrong, involved a product ominously named 'Satan's Spit'.
This concoction, a fiery mix of chilli and alcohol, is labelled as 'one of our hottest and most dangerous products' and comes with a stern warning to 'handle with care'.
But on that fateful day, care was the last thing on the mind of 51-year-old Andrew Paul Hart.
Hart, who has since pleaded guilty, walked into the Bunnings store and sprayed 'Satan's Spit' into the air.
The result was immediate chaos. Fifteen people, including two children, were overcome by burning eyes, sore throats, and fits of coughing.
The scene was so severe that paramedics had to rush 11 individuals to the hospital.
These victims, in a distressing turn of events, were forced to strip outside the building and undergo decontamination showers before they could receive further medical treatment, each incurring an ambulance bill of over $1000.
The store itself suffered a significant loss, not only in terms of the immediate $16,000 due to the shutdown and hazmat clean-up but also in the compensation paid to eight employees affected by the incident, totalling $3048.
Upon his arrest at his home, where police found another bottle of 'Satan's Spit' and a 'Fart Spray', Hart claimed he intended to discharge the latter in an attempt to lighten the mood for a friend going through tough times.
However, the court heard of Hart's recent nine-month imprisonment for threatening his former partner, a judicial officer, and a state prosecutor, painting a picture of a man whose judgment and actions were questionable at best.
In a bid for freedom, Hart's counsel argued that the act was not malicious but reckless.
Yet, the state highlighted Hart's potential as a flight risk, given his lack of ties to Western Australia and a recorded phone call expressing his desire to leave the West.
Judge Nicholas Egan sided with the state, and Hart was remanded in custody, with sentencing set for 25 March.
This incident is a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers in public spaces and the importance of safety and responsibility.
It also raises questions about the availability of such potent substances and the potential for misuse.
We urge caution and awareness in public spaces for our readers at the Seniors Discount Club.
While we may not expect to encounter such extreme situations, it's always wise to be prepared and know what to do in case of an emergency.
In other news, a Bunnings customer exchanged a rusted lock box nearly two years after buying it, underscoring the value of keeping receipts.
The $44.69 lockbox, sold as weatherproof with a lifetime warranty, had corroded extensively. You can read more about it here.
Have you ever witnessed or been part of an unexpected incident in a public space? How did you react, and what advice would you give to others? Your insights could be invaluable to fellow members of our community.
But the routine suddenly took a turn when an incident involving a hazardous substance triggered emergency responses, sending some to the hospital and forcing the store to close.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the event.
The incident, which sounds like something out of a bizarre prank gone wrong, involved a product ominously named 'Satan's Spit'.
This concoction, a fiery mix of chilli and alcohol, is labelled as 'one of our hottest and most dangerous products' and comes with a stern warning to 'handle with care'.
But on that fateful day, care was the last thing on the mind of 51-year-old Andrew Paul Hart.
'Satan’s Spit' sprayed in Bunnings store, hospitalising 11 people. Credit: Craig Dingle / iStock
Hart, who has since pleaded guilty, walked into the Bunnings store and sprayed 'Satan's Spit' into the air.
The result was immediate chaos. Fifteen people, including two children, were overcome by burning eyes, sore throats, and fits of coughing.
The scene was so severe that paramedics had to rush 11 individuals to the hospital.
These victims, in a distressing turn of events, were forced to strip outside the building and undergo decontamination showers before they could receive further medical treatment, each incurring an ambulance bill of over $1000.
The store itself suffered a significant loss, not only in terms of the immediate $16,000 due to the shutdown and hazmat clean-up but also in the compensation paid to eight employees affected by the incident, totalling $3048.
Upon his arrest at his home, where police found another bottle of 'Satan's Spit' and a 'Fart Spray', Hart claimed he intended to discharge the latter in an attempt to lighten the mood for a friend going through tough times.
However, the court heard of Hart's recent nine-month imprisonment for threatening his former partner, a judicial officer, and a state prosecutor, painting a picture of a man whose judgment and actions were questionable at best.
In a bid for freedom, Hart's counsel argued that the act was not malicious but reckless.
Yet, the state highlighted Hart's potential as a flight risk, given his lack of ties to Western Australia and a recorded phone call expressing his desire to leave the West.
Judge Nicholas Egan sided with the state, and Hart was remanded in custody, with sentencing set for 25 March.
This incident is a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers in public spaces and the importance of safety and responsibility.
It also raises questions about the availability of such potent substances and the potential for misuse.
We urge caution and awareness in public spaces for our readers at the Seniors Discount Club.
While we may not expect to encounter such extreme situations, it's always wise to be prepared and know what to do in case of an emergency.
In other news, a Bunnings customer exchanged a rusted lock box nearly two years after buying it, underscoring the value of keeping receipts.
The $44.69 lockbox, sold as weatherproof with a lifetime warranty, had corroded extensively. You can read more about it here.
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