Homecoming prank ends with car in flames
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:06 pm
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/article ... 016dc3.txt
SIOUX CITY --- An innocent homecoming prank involving toilet paper and Saran Wrap went badly awry this weekend and ended with a car engulfed in flames.
Authorities were called shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday to a report of a car fire in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 3101 Floyd Blvd.
Sioux City police Sgt. Mike Post said the incident started when a group of students from North High School wrapped some cars with Saran Wrap and toilet paper. At one point, a student tossed a firecracker into the window of a Chevrolet Lumina belonging to another student's parent.
The fire started when the firecracker apparently ignited some toilet paper that had previously been stuffed into the car.
Post said the student, who immediately took responsibility for the fire, was not trying to burn down the car.
"The window was down a little bit and this kid thought it would be funny to throw a firecracker in there," Post said.
Car owner Mike Van Beest said he doesn't have any hard feelings toward the student who accidentally burned up his car. Students should just be careful not to take things too far, he said, and stop to think before they pull pranks.
"Things can go a little too far and things can happen," Van Beest said. "It's lucky no one got hurt."
The incident is still under investigation.