A driver ran into a petrol pump in a gasolinera this Thursday in the municipality of Huéneja near Guadix, causing a fire.

Fortunately, one of the service-station staff was on the ball and managed to put it out before it caused a major problem.

The accident took place around 17.00h. The driver, who had been travelling too fast when it came down off the A-92 autovia, lost control of the vehicle and ran into one of the fuel pumps, smashing it off its mounting and launching it 15 metres across the courtyard.

Seconds later a fire broke out underneath the car. The service-station staff managed to help the driver, who was dazed, out of the car.

Fortunately, these 8-hose, fuel pumps have safety devices which cuts of the petrol and diesel supply if it suffers an impact.

Within 15 minutes, one of the employees had managed to put the fire out under the car before its fuel tank went up using one of the fire extinguisher on the premises.

As for the driver, apart from being dazed and complaining about hurting all over from the collision, he was OK and didn’t require the medical attention.

The Guardia Civil arrived, despatched by the emergency coordination centre (112) as well as the Guadix fire service, who made sure that the car fire was completely out.

The owner of the service station wasn’t present when the accident happened but he was soon informed. He said he was proud of how the staff had reacted, following the emergency protocol laid down for such incidents.

Editorial comment: there are no details concerning the driver’s age nor whether he was DUI but at the very least, he was speeding.

(News/Noticias: Huéneja, Guadix, Montes Orientales, Granada, Andalucia)