RAIPUR: A puff of cigarette nearly turned into a fireball at Chhattisgarh’s Raipur petrol pump after a youth allegedly set a fuel nozzle ablaze using a lighter when asked not to smoke, that triggered flames on a motorcycle and pump. Amid panic, the pump staff averted a major disaster and doused it with a fire extinguisher.The incident took place at a petrol pump in the Urla area on Thursday evening. According to police, two men identified as Dharmendra Kshatri and Imran had arrived at the pump on a motorcycle to refuel.Police said Imran remained seated on the bike while Dharmendra stood nearby. As the fuel tank was opened, Dharmendra allegedly took out a cigarette and tried to light it. When he was asked to stop smoking at the petrol pump, he became enraged and used a lighter to ignite the fuel nozzle pipe, triggering flames.The fire quickly spread to the bike’s fuel tank and the pump machine, causing panic at the site. The two accused, the biker and pump staff rushed away to save themselves as flames flared up.Officials said a pump attendant acted swiftly, pulling away the fuel pipe and switching off the main fuel supply. Using the fire safety kit available at the pump, the staff managed to douse the flames in time, preventing what could have been a major explosion or fire accident.During the chaos, some burning fuel reportedly splashed on the accused as well. After the incident, the duo attempted to flee but were caught by pump staff, who informed the police and lodged a complaint.Urla police later arrested both accused based on the complaint by the pump manager and CCTV footage from the site. Urla inspector Rohit Mahelkar said a case has been registered under sections related to arson and endangering public safety.Police said the quick response by petrol pump employees prevented a potentially catastrophic incident, as the fire could have spread to nearby vehicles and fuel storage areas.
