MAN BURNS DOWN THREE BLOCKS TRYING TO FORGE A SWORD IN HIS BACKYARD

A man trying to forge a sword in an attempt to mimic a method he saw on the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire” sparked a massive blaze that destroyed more than 20 buildings in Cohoes, upstate New York. “Forged in Fire” is a competition series highlighting bladesmiths battling against each other to create edged weapons. John Gomes (go-mez), 51, described as an “amateur bladesmith,” allegedly started the fire by using a burn barrel, and wind spread the flames to more than a dozen structures around downtown Cohoes, burning three square blocks. The town’s mayor called it “the worst disaster the city has ever seen.” Gomes was charged with reckless endangerment and misdemeanor arson.
* MISDEMEANOR arson? How many blocks do you have to burn down to make it a felony?
* Whatever happened to “don’t try this at home”?
* Maybe he should have started trying to forge a butter knife.
* “Forged in Fire”? More like “Forged in Stupid”.
* What’s with the sword, anyway? Is Cohoes being invaded by the Visigoths?
* Remember, kids, always hire a professional amateur bladesmith.
* Here he is trying to mimic the History Channel, and now that part of town’s history.