Clumsy Science Master
Our science teacher Mr Bannister was one of the “nice” teachers at our school.

He was however extremely clumsy! He sprayed us with dilute acid when demonstrating how a fire extinguisher worked. For weeks afterwards our clothing and books gradually fell apart!

There was also the time when he dropped 3 (or was it 4?) beakers one after the other – the class was half paralysed with laughter!
Mr Banni’s finest hour though was part 2 of “How to put out fires” Having showed us how to make a fire extinguisher and put out a blazing sheet of paper or two in the sink, Mr Bannister took it upon himself to show us what not to do. In the case of petrol or other flammable liquid we were told not to put water on it or “This happens...”

Mr Bannister poured a beaker of petrol on his bench and struck a match – VOOM and a small conflagration ensued. “Now I’ll pour on some water” and he did, unfortunately at that precise moment his elbow knocked over the rather large metal petrol can!! He had not replaced the lid and at least 4 large glugs of petrol spilled out before he was able to right the can!!

The now large quantity of petrol floating on a bed of water spread out all over the workbench. The flames spread out and caught the un-lit petrol fumes. There was a GIGANTIC VOOM! The flames reached up to the ceiling and Mr Bannister disappeared from view! A rather horrified class stood up, but none of us had the courage to approach the teacher’s bench!

Gradually the flames subsided and as they did Mr Banni slowly came into view! Dear old Banni was trying to look calm and collected which was difficult with singed eyebrows!!
( Vambo, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 17:20, Reply)