A car at a Georgia gas station explodes into flames with the owner just metres from it. Courtesy Liveleak/FB-Rambo

A GEORGIA driver learnt the hard way why you should always use common sense when filling up at the pump.

Footage has emerged of a vehicle exploding at a gas station which shows the driver making a call on his mobile at the time.

It’s also clear from the vision that the driver had left his car running, breaking another golden rule when it comes to refuelling.

Both the driver and a mechanic appear to look under the car as if there was a leak of some sort, suggesting the tank safety may have been disabled and the tank overfilled.

In a similar case last year, also in Georgia, a gas station fire saw a woman severely burnt.

A driver was filling up his car when he flicked a cigarette lighter near his gas tank and caused a fuel vapour explosion.

The man’s wife was standing next to him when the incident occurred and suffered second and third degree-burns to her legs, arms, back and head.