Andhra Pradesh: In an unexpected turn of events, a routine 'beedi' break for a man started a fire in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. A CCTV camera at the spot recorded how the smoker unknowingly sparked a fire that gutted several shops around. Fortunately, the locals sprang into action promptly and prevented further damage.
The incident took place at Kalyanadurgam town in Anantapur district around 11.30 am this morning, NDTV reported.
As per the report, a man had bought five litres of petrol from a fuel station. But it spilled on the road as the container reportedly leaked while he was riding a two-wheeler. As seen in the footage, several shops were located on that road. Many vehicles parked there were also gutted in the fire.
In the CCTV footage, two men can be seen chatting near a shop. They were standing right in front of the stream of petrol that had leaked from another man's container.
As one of them lit a 'beedi' and flicked the burning matchstick on the road it landed into the stream of petrol, sparking into a fire instantly. Shocked to see the fire, the smoker and others present around him run for their safety.
A man whose two-wheeler was parked at the spot was seen trying to remove it before the flames reached the petrol pump. However, when he saw the bike had already caught fire, he threw it and ran for cover.
The careless disposal of the matchstick resulted in several shops and vehicles getting damaged in the blaze.
In May this year, a 28-year-old man died from suffocation at his home in Kolkata after he dozed off with a lit cigarette in his hand.
The deceased, identified as Saptarshi Mitra, was sleeping when the fire engulfed his bedsheet and mattress. By the time he woke up, it was too late for him to escape, The Times of India reported.