Disaster At Night Club

Valdosta, GA (AP) -- The unveiling of a new smoke filtration system at Smiley O'Smokies Bar Monday night ended with multiple injuries and thousands of dollars in damages to the building. Two people were admitted to South Georgia Medical Center and six were treated and released. All had been injured by flying debris when the maladjusted system was switched on for the first time.

The air filtration system had recently been installed to bring the bar into compliance with new smoking regulations. According to the manufacturer, the system is supposed to change out the air in the bar six times per minute. O'Smokies owner, Carl Browning, admitted that he was too "zealous" when making the settings on the machine, but did not think that the maximum settings would have caused the accident.

"It says in the manual that the maximum setting is safe as long as nothing is within three feet of the air return", said Browning.

The system was switched on shortly after 7 pm at the conclusion of a short ceremony that was supposed to end with the lighting of cigarettes and cigars by the crowd. Many were wearing promotional t-shirts carrying the slogan, "The A/C at O'Smokies Really Sux".

Seconds after the switch was thrown, things went seriously wrong.

Felicia Bennett, who was being treated by EMT's at the scene, said, "It was like being sucked into a giant vacuum cleaner. Everything on the table flew off and I was pulled off my chair and banged into another table."

The most serious injuries occurred to two waitresses who were pulled from the bottom of the stack of debris at the foot of the air intake. Both are listed in good condition at SGMC but names are being withheld at this time until families have been notified.

"I kept telling those girls that they needed to eat a sandwich," said Browning, "you can be too skinny."

Several patrons of the bar were standing outside clutching at blankets as parts of their clothing had been sucked into the system. One well known bald man was heard remarking over and over that O’Smokies owed him a new toupee until EMT's wrapped him in a blanket and treated him for shock.

Moving among the crowd was City Councilman Sonny Vickers whose district includes the downtown area where the bar is located.. "I told them and told them that smoking in bars was bad for your health," exclaimed Vickers as he leaned over to spit tobacco juice over the curb and missed, "Now look at all this mess."

A police spokesperson said that no charges have been made at this time pending an investigation by the department and OSHA. Browning estimates that the restaurant will be closed for "about a week" while repairs are being made.