Pyromania
There is a history of liking fire in my family. Not to the extent of arson, just that a bonfire opportunity is eagerly leaped on, and that there is a certain fascination with fire. My dad is especially prone to this, and I follow in his footsteps in that regard.

So on an autumn day playing at the end of the garden it was my idea to start a fire. I was nine and so was our neighbour who joined in the fun, and my brother was eight. Being bossy by nature I took charge, we all helped collect the leaves and wood, and the neighbour was deputised to get the matches. Since the ground was a bit damp, it fizzled out. So I made my brother get a can of petrol from the garage, and we gathered an even bigger heap of leaves, splashed petrol over it and I elected to start the fire.

We'd planned for all eventualities. A seaside bucket was carefully filled with water in case the fire was too big (one of those tiny small ones for making sandcastles.) When the fire was lit it was awesome. The flames were as high as our waists, and not only burning the wood and leaves we'd provided for it, but also the trails of leaves etc, and the petrol spatter we'd left. None of us questioned this in the least, there was much gleeful dancing around.

Of course we got caught. It would have been a miracle if we didn't (and not a good one considering the fence started smouldering.) I remember my dad and the neighbour's dad both running in slow motion, one of them with a garden hose, and being so thoroughly told off that I cried all night over the unfairness given that I had even got water to put the fire out (and a bit from fright). Especially when he pointed out that we'd left the petrol can near the fire.

So caught and saved from possible death and probable arson.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 6 Jun 2010, 14:57, 2 replies)

Dads
they get sent to sort out fires.

I can almost hear the respective Mums shrieking 'Get over there and put a stop to it, NOW!'

Later they'd be saying 'He doesn't get that from MY side!'
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 6 Jun 2010, 15:43, closed)

Yeah pretty much!
My mum was like 'she definitely gets that from you'
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 6 Jun 2010, 15:44, closed)