Video footage shows driver’s panic as flames spread from his gas tank to the pump after ill-judged attempt to get rid of the arachnid

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A motorist scared of spiders gave himself a double shock when he accidentally set a gas station on fire trying to get rid of one using a cigarette lighter.

The man told authorities he saw a spider on his gas tank as he went to fill up and unwisely decided to use a lighter to remove it.

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Video footage from the gas station in the city of Center Line, Michigan, shows the man’s horror as he realises what has happened, and flames quickly envelop the pump and, presumably, the spider.

A gas station employee told Fox 2 on Friday: “He didn’t have a cigarette. He didn’t have anything on him. All of a sudden I look out and I see flames.”

The driver redeemed himself by grabbing a fire extinguisher and quickly putting out the fire as Adams cut off the gas supply and called firefighters during the incident earlier in the week.

The fire destroyed the gas pump, though the motorist’s vehicle suffered little damage.