Ottawa

Brockville man charged with mischief admits flat Earth fight was 'stupid'

A man charged after throwing a propane cylinder into a campfire has admitted the argument that sparked his rage was "stupid."

Father became so enraged over argument he threw propane cylinder into campfire

An argument over whether the Earth is flat or round became so heated that one of the participants threw a propane cylinder onto a campfire, prompting an intervention by firefighters. (Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center/Associated Press)

Pythagoras figured out the Earth was a sphere back in the sixth century B.C., but it's apparently still a cause worth fighting for in Brockville, Ont.

A 56-year-old father has been charged with mischief after a spat over whether the Earth is flat or round became so heated fire crews had to be called in.

Police said the man was at a campsite with his son and his son's girlfriend on Monday night when the woman began postulating that the Earth is flat.

The older man insisted the Earth is round.

Brockville police said the man became so angry he began throwing objects into the campfire, including a propane cylinder. That prompted a visit from the local fire department.

By the time police arrived at the scene, the man had left. He was eventually located and charged on Thursday.

He'll appear in court later this summer. 

Staff Sgt. Todd Bertrend said the man admitted the fight was "stupid."

Bertrend said police told the man they agreed with his side of the argument, if it was any consolation.

Bertrend said he received 30 to 40 emails after the story made national headlines. 

"It's one of those things where everyone had a chuckle," he said.

It's not known whether the woman who argued that the Earth is flat has changed her views since the incident.