JOHANNESBURG - Video footage of a car engulfed in flames at a petrol station has raised concerns about safety precautions at filling stations.
The footage, widely shared on social media, shows a petrol attendant removing a fuel hose moments before a fire erupts.
A passenger is then forced to jump out of the vehicle as flames rapidly spread.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including when and where it occurred, remain unclear.
However, the video has sparked widespread reaction online.
Switch off your engines when refilling. pic.twitter.com/OIBtHDtpiW
— Black-Jesus💧 (@KingMntungwa) January 13, 2026
Some social media users questioned whether safety procedures were followed, while others raised concerns about the availability of emergency response equipment at the station.
Questions were also raised about whether the vehicle had been switched off during refuelling.
Motoring expert Eugene Herbert says vehicle fires at petrol stations are rare, but fuel remains highly ignitable if basic precautions are ignored.
“It’s not so much the liquid component that poses the greatest danger, but the gases. If anything is going to ignite, it’s the vapours, which can then set the petrol alight,” Herbert explained.
He warns that a lack of awareness around refuelling safety significantly increases the risk of preventable incidents.
Herbert stressed that responsibility does not rest solely with motorists, but also with filling stations.
“It’s important to remember that petrol stations work with a dangerous substance. Fuel is highly ignitable, and safety protocols must be strictly followed,” he said.
Petrol station safety precautions include:
- Switch off your engine before refuelling (for both cars and motorcycles)
- Do not smoke near fuel pumps
- Avoid using your cellphone or other electronic devices while refuelling
- Avoid distractions
- Choose your parking spot carefully, preferably where you can drive away easily if needed
- Secure your fuel cap properly before driving off.