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Twitter reacts to gender reveal that started 45,000 acre fire

28 November 2018 - 08:17 By Ntokozo Miya
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An expectant father who wanted a spectacular gender reveal party started a fire that destroyed 45,000 acres of land in Arizona, US.
An expectant father who wanted a spectacular gender reveal party started a fire that destroyed 45,000 acres of land in Arizona, US.
Image: 123RF/Nat Bowornphatnon

On Tuesday, US authorities revealed footage showing how a fire that ravaged 45,000 acres of land began during a gender reveal party.

Time reported that in 2017, Dennis Dickey, a border patrol agent from Arizona, was excited at welcoming a new baby into his family and decided to have an unforgettable gender reveal. 

The idea was that he would shoot at a target and the colour of the smoke would let his friends and family know if he was expecting a son or a daughter. 

Dickey didn't think beyond the colour of the smoke as he fired at the target surrounded by tall, dry grass.

WATCH | Gender-reveal party explosion starts massive wildfire

Video has emerged showing how a US Border Patrol agent's gender reveal party sparked a devastating wildfire that caused $8.2 million worth of damage.
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5 years ago

Dickey and his wife were going to have a baby boy but there wasn't much of a celebration after the blue smoke.

The blaze, dubbed "Sawmill fire'", destroyed 45,000 acres of land and the resultant damages were estimated to be $8mil. 

According to TimesLIVE, Dickey pleaded guilty to a charge of causing fire without a permit. He was ordered to pay $220,000.

Despite Dickey's remorse, people on social media are unforgiving.

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