A TikTok video, lasting one minute and 14 seconds, posted by user hyuga_namikaze has sparked a lively debate online. The clip depicts a man using a fire-lit stick to coax a monitor lizard out of a toilet bowl.
In the video, the man lights a piece of fabric wrapped around a wooden stick and inserts it into the toilet. He then intensifies the flame by spraying aerosol fuel onto the burning fabric, attempting to drive the lizard out before capturing it.
The video has garnered mixed reactions. Many viewers shared their own encounters with monitor lizards, noting that such sightings are not uncommon in various neighborhoods.
User 5silv3rbull3t humorously warned, “Wait until it is bigger; it will have its revenge.”
Others found the lizard, affectionately named Gorgon by hyuga_namikaze after a monster from the Ultraman series, endearing. User eyqaaaaae commented, “Is this the season of Gorgon entering bathrooms? I had one this week that came through the window.”
There were also playful remarks, with user nobodyknows mimicking a documentary tone: “Watch, as a group of men is battling a Gorgon. Wow, incredible.”
However, not everyone was amused. Critics expressed concern over the potential hazards of the method used. User Alif firdaus443 warned, “Don’t do that. If the gas from the sewage pipe explodes, you’ll learn the hard way.”
User max_chong75 added, “Using fire near a toilet is very dangerous; it may explode if done incorrectly.”
While such incidents are not commonly reported in Malaysia, experts caution that methane gas buildup in toilets can be flammable and pose serious risks if ignited.