A viral CCTV footage capture (Image/X)

A man, said to be intoxicated, has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to a petrol pump in Hyderabad, causing panic among people, according to a report by NDTV summoning officials.

According to the report, the incident occurred around 7 pm, when the accused, identified as Chiran, arrived at the gas station in an obvious state of intoxication. Carrying a lighter in his hand, he was asked by one of the gas station attendants to light the device if he “had the courage to do so”.

A drunk man sets fire to a petrol pump in Hyderabad

In a reckless act at a petrol pump in Nacharam, a man from Bihar lit a lighter while fuel was being dispensed, endangering himself and those around him, including a woman and her child. Nacharam police arrested two men,… pic.twitter.com/9TiR1A4qsc

— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) October 27, 2024

Accused Chiran, who was provoked by the man, instantly lit the lighter, resulting in a sudden burst of flames. A CCTV footage of the incident is circulating on the internet.

Footage also captured a woman and a child making a narrow escape as they were left terrified by the evil. The two, the main accused and the employee who provoked him, were arrested by the police and charged with mischief caused by fire and explosive.

Both the accused are said to be from Bihar, the report said.

“This dangerous act not only put lives at risk but could have caused a catastrophic explosion, especially in this congested area with heavy traffic,” Inspector G Rudvir Kumar, Nacharam Police, was quoted as saying by NDTV.

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