A Loud Boom Leads to a Strange Bathroom Fire Near Clinton

I have no problem with the sound of a large explosion if I'm in a place I wouldn't normally think would be dangerous. One such location may be a public restroom.

Read More: Sand Creek Fire Grows Past 11,600 Acres In Western Pioneers

Before you start thinking of me like some crazy person, you may remember a story from a few years ago that involved someone "blowing up" a bathroom. In 2019, authorities responded to a call at Home Depot in Wichita, Kansas, when someone called the police and said they had heard a man threaten to "blow up" the restroom. It turned out that the gentleman was not talking about explosives. No, he was talking about his explosive bowels.

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That sounds like common decency to me. Unfortunately, another more serious event occurred recently near Clinton, which seems to be a more literal interpretation of blowing up a restroom.

What Happened at Schwartz Creek?

Information from the Clinton Rural Fire District says that the fire department responded to a fire at the Schwartz Creek boat ramp restroom after a local resident reported hearing a loud boom. The investigators state that someone apparently stole firewood from the parking lot and used it (along with an unknown type of ignitable liquid) to ignite a fire inside the restroom or toilet.

Clinton Rural Fire District via Facebook

A Sheriff's deputy arrived at the scene and attempted to keep the fire contained until additional fire personnel were able to respond. That possibly saved the situation from getting worse by preventing it from spreading into the surrounding area.

Well done. Someone apparently attempted to convert an outhouse into a rocket.

This Could Have Ended Much Worse

Toilet humor aside, we are right in the middle of fire season in western Montana. We have seen enough of our mountain ranges hide behind layers of wildfire smoke this summer to make us want to check the air quality forecast every time we consider going outside. And we certainly don't need some individual intentionally starting fires in the woods during a wildfire season like we currently have.

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All it takes is a little bit of dry fuel to allow a small fire to grow and escape. Just look at what happened after an alleged arsonist started a wildfire near Spokane. It can be some really scary stuff.

Not to mention, now the people who recreate on Schwartz Creek are going to have to find a bush to hide in when that burrito hits bottom.