Buzzkill UK cops arrest flame-throwing scooter guy on firearms offenses

31-year-old Colin Furze got a fair bit of internet attention this week for a scooter mod that enabled the bike to shoot flames 15 feet, ostensibly back at tailgaiting drivers.

Furze said at the time that the flame-throwing mod was solely for off-road use due to the possibility of being charged under firearms possession laws:

He said: “It’s a hell of a lot of fun and when I fire the flames it makes me feel like James Bond. I’ll only use it off-road though. I’d get in a lot of trouble otherwise. I’ve been told that if I fire the flames while riding on the road, it’s equivalent to using a firearm.

It seems Furze’s concerns have come to pass, as Lincolnshire police arrested and detained the young man on Thursday after seeing pictures posted on the internet of the scooter in use on a public highway:

He was held on suspicion of possessing an object converted into a firearm, and was released on unconditional police bail without charge until May 6 pending further police investigation.

Prior to his arrest, Furze commented on his motivation for modding his scooter in such a way:

”Everybody wants a flame thrower on a motor bike.

”I don’t need a flame thrower on the back of my bike, I’m not going to set fire to people’s car’s [sic], it’s just something interesting to do.”

Furze’s two previous attempts at modding his scooter failed, and the second attempt reportedly “burst into flames.”