Back in April 2017, Arizona was hit with just about the worst gender reveal party in history. If that sounds like a bit of an exaggeration, just imagine ending up in £6,000,000 worth of debt by the end of it.
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Although, of course the party had barely really began when a target labelled with "BOY" and "GIRL" erupted into a massive explosion, imminently causing a fire that was going to spread across 70 square miles government and privately owned land.
It all began when 37-year-old expectant father, Dennis Dickey and his wife gathered to celebrate their pregnancy with a gender-reveal event, a common practice in the US. The plan was to shoot the target, that would break open to release bright-coloured fumes, according to the unborn baby's gender. Except the real problem emerges when the target is filled with Tannerite, a highly explosive substance and is shot by a high-velocity firearm amidst a vast landscape of tall, dry grass. What could have possibly gone wrong?
Once the fire ignited the field in a matter of seconds, Dickey didn't wait in contacting emergency services to report the accident. It was later reported that as many as 800 firefighters were called to the scene in total and it took a whole week to put the fire to rest.
Whilst the immense amount of damage had already been done, Dickey admitted the wildfire was "a complete accident". The unfortunate soul pleaded guilty to misdemeanor violation and was sentenced to 5 years worth of probation. However, he will also be paying the £6 million equivalent worth of damage, starting with a eye-watering sum equivalent to £6,395,864, with an initial payment of £78,131 towards restitution. He will then continue with monthly payments for the next two decades. That has to hurt.
Well, if there's one thing this has taught us is: (sorry to be a party pooper but) do not mix a gender reveal party with highly explosive substances.
