Chaos erupted at a petrol pump in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, when a heated argument between two friends nearly triggered a massive fire. The incident unfolded on February 18 at the Urla petrol station, where Imran and his friend Dharmendra Khastri arrived on a bike to refuel.
Dharmendra, unable to resist his cigarette habit, lit up right there amid the pumps. Imran, sensing the danger, sternly told him to stop. What followed was a shocking act of recklessness: in a fit of rage, Dharmendra flicked his lighter directly onto the petrol nozzle inserted in the bike’s tank.
Flames erupted instantly, engulfing the nozzle and spreading to the bike and the refueling machine. Panic gripped the station as workers and bystanders scrambled. Thanks to the quick thinking of a pump employee, who shut off the fuel supply immediately, a potential catastrophe was averted.
The video of the fiery mishap has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation. Station manager lodged a complaint, leading to the swift arrest of both men. ‘Our staff’s alertness saved lives and property,’ the manager stated, urging the public to exercise caution at fuel stations.
Police are interrogating the duo, emphasizing the lethal risks of smoking near flammable areas. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how addiction, combined with impulsivity, can turn a routine errand into a life-threatening ordeal. Authorities have ramped up safety awareness campaigns in the wake of such near-misses.