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Cigarette Ignites Spilled Fuel in Oberhausen, Car Destroyed and Two Hurt

Officials say spilled fuel ignited when a cigarette was lit during improvised refueling.

Overview

  • Police and firefighters were called around 7:50 p.m. on Jan. 7 to a vehicle fire in a turning area near the Aqua-Park on Heinz-Schleußer-Straße, not at a gas station.
  • Initial findings indicate someone was pouring fuel from a canister into the tank when fuel spilled around the car and another person lit a cigarette, triggering the blaze.
  • Two occupants—a 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman—were injured and taken to a hospital for further treatment.
  • The Mercedes with a Polish license plate burned out completely and was later secured and removed by a towing company.
  • Investigators documented a fuel canister and cigarette packs at the scene, and authorities are treating the case as an avoidable accident under preliminary investigation.