NC Sheriff: Men made up story about fireworks

RAEFORD, N.C. — North Carolina authorities say two men burned after a lit firecracker dropped inside the truck they were riding in initially made up a story about being attacked with the explosive.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Friday that while the extent of their injuries was unknown, Alex Christman required treatment at the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill.

Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said Thursday the two men initially reported they were attacked in the Sept. 5 incident but had made up the story.

Sheriff’s deputies say Christman lit the fuse of a firecracker he intended to toss out the window. It dropped to the floor of the truck and the vehicle caught fire.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)