DUBAI Residents in Springs 15 have been left scratching their heads following the discovery of several empty fire extinguishers in the neighbourhood.
Many suspect the hand-held devices were abandoned by teens after being used for rocket-boarding – a dangerous fad that involves using a fire extinguisher to propel a skateboard. The way it works is simple but fraught with risks. The thrill-seeker stands or sits on a skateboard carrying a fire extinguisher in hand. As its cylinder valve is cracked open, Carbon dioxide gas is released and the skateboard is propelled forward.
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Videos of the stunt in Europe are trending on YouTube and there are fears that some youngsters in Dubai might be trying their hands at it too by stealing fire extinguishers from cars and nearby buildings.
German expat Monika Kubit said she found two empty cylinders in Springs 15 as she was driving home last fortnight. “They were lying in the middle of the road so I handed them to the security. Later that evening I came to know that someone had broken into my neighbour’s car and stolen a fire extinguisher. I thought it could be one of those I found on the streets, but it was not,” she said.
In recent days, six empty fire extinguishers have been reportedly found between Streets 5 and 9 in Springs 15. “It may not be a big thing, but it’s certainly weird,” said Kubik.
“At this point the only plausible explanation is that fire extinguishers are being stolen for cheap thrills and then dumped here. It could be a bunch of teens or an individual,” said a British resident.
For the uninitiated, rocket-boarding is based on Newton’s third law of motion. When one body acts on another, the second body – in this case the C02 gas released by the extinguisher - backs on the first with an equal and opposite force causing the skateboard to move at extreme pace for about 10-15 seconds.”
However, no one has actually seen anyone performing the stunt. “Perhaps it happens surreptiously and in the dead of night. So we are asking people who have CCTV overlooking the street to see if they have any footage,” said a resident.
