Andhra Pradesh: Man's beedi sparks fire, destroys shops, vehicles | WATCH

Crime News: A casual beedi break turned catastrophic in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, as CCTV footage captured the moment a man's negligence ignited a fire, reducing several shops and vehicles to ashes. The incident occurred around 11:30 AM in Kalyanadurgam town, where swift action from local residents prevented further destruction.

Petrol leak leads to disaster

The fire began when a man purchased five liters of petrol from a fuel station. While riding his two-wheeler, the container began leaking, leaving a trail of petrol on the road in front of several shops and parked vehicles. Unaware of the danger, two men were seen chatting near the spot, right next to the petrol trail.

CCTV footage captures moment

The CCTV footage reveals one of the men lighting a beedi and carelessly flicking the burning matchstick onto the petrol-soaked road. Within seconds, the petrol ignited, creating a massive ball of fire. The men, along with others nearby, scrambled for safety as flames rapidly spread. Vehicles parked at the scene were hastily removed to prevent further damage, but several shops and vehicles were already engulfed by the fire.

Watch the video here:

Watch CCTV footage: Fire Erupts After Man Throws Matchstick Near Petrol Leak in Anantapur

A potential disaster unfolded in Kalyanadurgam town, Anantapur district. A man purchased five liters of petrol from a station near the old bus stand. While riding his two-wheeler, the… pic.twitter.com/gcsM9ihYb8

— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) August 21, 2024

Stark reminder of fire hazards

This incident underscores the severe consequences of careless disposal of lit cigarettes and bidis, a common cause of fires. Just a few months earlier, a 28-year-old man in Kolkata tragically suffocated after falling asleep with a lit cigarette, igniting his bedding and causing a fatal fire.