A high-end car caught fire after allegedly crashing into a fuel dispenser at a petrol bunk on Bengaluru-Hosur Road near Attibele on Wednesday night, leaving the vehicle gutted and injuring a bunk worker. Police took the driver into custody after he allegedly tried to leave the scene, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
The incident occurred at around 11 pm while vehicles were waiting to refuel. An eyewitness cited in the report said the car was third in the queue when a staff member asked the driver whether he wanted petrol or diesel. The car then reportedly moved suddenly and rammed into a fuel dispensing machine.
The impact uprooted the dispenser, which fell on a petrol bunk employee identified as Gundu Kumar. He sustained injuries to his head and legs. The report identified the driver as Sanjay, a resident of Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru, and said he was reportedly in an inebriated condition. The account also said he may have pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, although that detail was described as a suspicion rather than an established finding.
Sparks were noticed after the collision and the car caught fire. Petrol bunk personnel attempted to control the flames but were unable to contain them, prompting a call to the fire force. Fire personnel later arrived and extinguished the blaze. Videos recorded by passers-by showed the vehicle engulfed in flames.
The report said two people were inside the car, including the driver. The passenger, described as a girl, escaped from the vehicle. Sanjay was reportedly stopped by petrol bunk staff before being handed over to police.
The incident highlights the immediate safety risks created when a moving vehicle collides with fuel-dispensing equipment, where a damaged dispenser, spilled fuel and ignition sources can rapidly escalate an accident. The report did not provide details of the extent of any fuel leakage, the fire service assessment or the police case registered against the driver.
Further action will depend on the police investigation into the collision, the driver’s condition and the injuries suffered by the petrol bunk worker.
