LONDON, England -- Two Star Wars fans are in critical condition after apparently trying to make "lightsabers" by filling fluorescent light tubes with petrol, British media reports say.
Mark Webb, 20, and an unnamed 17-year-old girl are believed to have been filming the mock duel as they poured fuel into two glass tubes and lit it.
The pair were taken to hospital after one of the devices exploded in woodland at Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on Sunday evening.
A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Police told the UK's Press Association Tuesday that a third person present at the incident had been questioned.
A videotape was found nearby.
The spokeswoman told PA: "A 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead suffered serious injuries. They have been transferred to a specialist burns unit in Chelmsford, Essex, and are still critically ill in hospital.
"At this stage we are unable to confirm the exact circumstances, but glass tubes and traces of accelerant (flammable substance) were found at the scene."
The final film in the Star Wars series, Revenge Of The Sith, arrived at UK cinemas last week.
One of the crucial scenes features a lightsabre battle between Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker.
May 24th, 2005 07:23 PM
