In the first case, the phone was placed on the car’s boot during fuelling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the petrol pump.

In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to his face when fumes ignited as he answered a call while refuelling his car.

And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in his pocket, rang while he was filling his car.

You should know that:

• Mobile phones can ignite fuel or fumes;

• Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition;

• Mobile phones should not be used in petrol stations, or when filling lawn mowers or boats;

•Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (i.e. solvents, chemicals, fuels, grain dust, etc.)

To sum it up, here are the four rules for safe refuelling:

1) Turn off engine

2) Don’t smoke

3) Don’t use your mobile phone – leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off

4) Don’t re-enter your vehicle during fuelling

A company that researched these kind of fires had the following surprising results:

1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.

2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping fuel. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.

3) Most were wearing rubber-soled shoes.

4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.

5) Don’t ever use mobile phones when pumping fuel

6) It is the vapours that come out of the fuel that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.

7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refuelling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.

8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the fuel cap was removed and before fuelling began.

One piece of advice is to never get back into your vehicle while filling it with fuel.

If you absolutely have to get in your vehicle while the fuel is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door and touch the metal before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you remove the nozzle.