Booby-Trapped Cigarette Lighters Injure 2 in Park
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San Diego police and fire officials are advising against picking up stray cigarette lighters after two people were injured trying to use two lighters they found in Balboa Park.
One victim lost the tip of a finger and severely injured another finger Tuesday night when the cigarette lighter that he attempted to use exploded.
On Wednesday, another person suffered a severe laceration to the foot when shrapnel from a metal lighter hit his foot. When the victim attempted to use the lighter it started to sputter. Upon dropping the lighter, it exploded and sent shrapnel flying hundreds of feet, a spokeswoman for the fire department said.
Both victims were treated at Mercy Hospital and released.
The metal lighters were filled with an explosive powder and other inflammable matter, Bill Robinson, a police department spokesman, said.
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