Man lights a cigarette at Larnaca petrol station, starts fire and tries to leave Cyprus

Cyprus police detained a 38-year-old man at Larnaca Airport in connection with a fire that broke out at a petrol station in Larnaca district. According to investigators, he flicked a lighter right next to a fuel pump while a car was being refuelled, and two people suffered burns.

The incident occurred at around 23:45 on Friday, 28 August. Two men, aged 32 and 38, arrived at the petrol station in the younger man's car. While the car was being refuelled, the 38-year-old stood next to the pump and used a lighter, triggering a flash and a fire. People who happened to be nearby extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher; the car and the fuel dispenser were damaged.

Police, the fire service and an ambulance were sent to the scene. Both men were taken to Larnaca Hospital: the 32-year-old was diagnosed with a superficial burn to his left arm and was discharged after treatment. The 38-year-old suffered second- and third-degree burns to his legs and right arm and was transferred to Nicosia Hospital.

On the morning of 29 August, the 38-year-old left hospital against medical advice. At around 15:30, he arrived at Larnaca Airport to fly to the country where he normally resides. He was detained there under a court warrant issued while the investigation is under way. Because of the severity of his injuries, the man was returned to Nicosia Hospital and admitted to the burns intensive care unit; his life is not in danger. The case is being handled by the Kofinou police station.

Using an open flame on the premises of a petrol station falls under the Petroleum Products Law: violating its provisions is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to €34,172, or both. Police are investigating the incident itself under Section 236 of the Criminal Code — negligent and reckless acts; the code classifies them as misdemeanours punishable under the general provision by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.