In a surprising move, members of the Novosibirsk City Council experimented with a flamethrower to clear ice from a street, a scene reported by the publication To climb. The incident drew attention not only for the improvised approach but also for the questions it raised about safety and legality on urban surfaces.
One participant, Vasily Strekalov, said there are parts of Novosibirsk where daytime sun can melt winter precipitation, but temperatures drop at night, restoring a slick layer of ice. He stressed that the equipment used for the ice-melting action was a common household device, not a specialized military tool or industrial apparatus.
Strekalov described the process in practical terms: simply take the device and run it over the asphalt to dry it, effectively removing the hazard. He emphasized that the operation was intended for domestic and recreational purposes, and he downplayed any danger associated with the method. The deputy framed the activity as an informal experiment rather than an official, military-style mission, noting that it carried minimal risk when used in controlled, everyday settings.
Looking ahead, the same official indicated a plan to continue testing approaches for de-icing road surfaces. The proposed next step involves a vibrating plate equipped with a nozzle designed to compact newly laid asphalt, with the aim of improving traction and reducing residual slipperiness in cold conditions.
In related municipal news, a separate legal case in St. Petersburg involved a Ford driver who struck pedestrians on a sidewalk. A court subsequently imposed a restraining measure on the individual as part of the ongoing proceedings, illustrating how different jurisdictions address roadway safety incidents and the balance between enforcement and public protection.