I don't know if this is a "self-link" since I uploaded it to my YouTube...but I didn't shoot this video. Is this still considered a "self-link" since it's in my videos?

this is no urban legend... the key is not to pull the pump out of the car... in the car, the fire can just burn itself out within a closed system... if you pull it out, flaming gas sprays everywhere

wow! always disharge static electricity BEFORE grabbing that pump handle!

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So what caused this? Is this proof of that cell-phone static discharge thing?

nope... the driver was simply carrying a static charge (like walking on carpet) and the first thing she touched was the metal gas pump, causing a spark that ignited the gas.... which is why you should avoid getting back in the car when you fill up, or at least touch the car to discharge yourself first

whew, that could have gone worse for her. you can see the flame start at the back of the handle, and how the fumes continue to feed the fire (while she humorously blows on it) until she removes the nozzle. (this actually argues against you point, igorz, as it seems to me if she left the stopped nozzle in, allowing fumes to continue to pour out, her car could have suffered considerable damage... but if the pump-squeeze mechanism was still locked and filling, your right that she would have pulled out a flame thrower)

it funny to me because, in retrospect, her shifting her sweater around and rubbing it flat are like her unconciously trying to build up more surface static electricity.

on a side note, my girlfriend is shocked getting out of my car almost every time, so maybe I'll show this to her.

its the sweater and the dry cold air... she should have taken off all clothing for safety purposes

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LOL deathcow - yes that's the only answer. Also, I get shocked a lot getting out of my car. What's up with that. Do the tires on the pavement generate static while rolling?

I didn't believe it until I saw this video. Now I'll have to take deathcows advice and strip everytime I get gas.

hmmmm...maybe that's a good way to suppliment the rising price of gas. You're a GENIUS, deathcow!

Excellent idea, Daphne, remember to post a video of your results and I will vote. Keep shouting "I wont dress until gas costs less!"

Seriously, you know how some acrylics / fake materials can become enormously static charged in the dryer, I bet that sweater was an electrical bomb waiting to happen. Whats scary is that one... tiny... little... clothing spark can equal big trouble.

Mythibusters did this awhile ago. Most of these incidents are caused when someone starts pumping gas and then gets back in their car while waiting. The contact between their clothes and the car seat builds the static change which lights the fumes. Incidentally, since women are far more likely to sit back in the car while fueling, most of the reported incidents of this occur to women.

I NOTICED THAT MOST GAS STATIONS WARN OF CELL PHONE USE (WHICH CANNOT START A GAS PUMP FIRE), BUT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE I'VE BEEN TO POST ANYTHING ABOUT STATIC ELECTRICITY AND/OR HOW TO AVOID IT.

SIMPLE: JUST DON'T GET BACK IN YOUR CAR.

I'm surprised the pump get filling the car - stations around here are set up so if you're not holding the handle, it won't fill. Hmm.