A man in Detroit managed to set a gas station on fire while trying to use his lighter to kill a spider.
The absurd scenario saw the hapless arachnophobe grab his cigarette lighter after encountering a large spider that had decided to pay him a visit while he was filling his car up with gas.
Without thinking things through he attempted to use the gadget to douse the arachnid in flames but ended up setting the gas pump alight instead. The fire soon engulfed the entire pump, forcing the attendant to hit the gas automatic stop button before phoning for the fire brigade.
Fortunately the man managed to put the flames out himself by grabbing a nearby fire extinguisher.
"He was sorry," said the attendant. "It is just one of those things that happen - stupidity."