Vandals Get Wake-Up Call, Boy Burned While Tagging Building

A 17-year-old Antioch boy is recovering from the unintended consequences of a vandalism spree Monday - in the burn ward.

Investigators say the boy was burned after he and two others vandalizing an abandoned industrial plant in the 1400 block of West Fourth Street tried making "flame throwers" from their spray cans. He picked up a can of flammable acetone, held it too close to the flame, and "cooked off" the contents of the can, burning his face and hands.

The two friends put out the flames by pushing their screaming comrade into a puddle of water, police say, and summoned help. The 17-year-old, who police say is part of a graffiti "crew" working the area, suffered second and third-degree burns to his face and hands.