Motorcycle Catches Fire Near Petrol Station Pumps
A Honda Vario went up in flames at a petrol station in Pangkalpinang, Indonesia, on 22 August 2026. The fire broke out at the Selindung Baru station in Gabek, just metres from the fuel pump.
CCTV from the station captured people moving away as the motorcycle burned. Workers rushed over with portable fire extinguishers, known locally as APAR, and tried to put out the flames. Two of them appeared to struggle with getting the extinguishers ready at first, while other staff quickly came over to help.
The workers eventually managed to use the extinguishers on the motorcycle. The fire was put out in around 10 minutes, but the Honda Vario was badly burnt. Police later took the motorcycle as evidence and began investigating what caused the fire.
Police Find Modified Fuel Tank Under Motorcycle
Preliminary police checks found that the Honda Vario had been fitted with a modified fuel tank that did not meet standard vehicle specifications. AKP Syafrial Agus said officers discovered an additional fuel tank installed underneath the motorcycle. Investigators suspect the extra tank had leaked, allowing fuel to escape before the fire broke out.
Police believe the leaked fuel may have caught fire when the motorcycle’s engine was started after refuelling with Pertalite. The flames spread around the motorcycle and left the vehicle severely burnt. Officers later examined the damaged motorcycle and its modified fuel system as part of the investigation. The Criminal Investigation Unit of Pangkalpinang Police is continuing to determine the exact cause of the fire and examine the use of the additional tank.
Police have not announced their final findings, and the suspected leak remains part of the ongoing investigation. The motorcycle remains an important piece of evidence as investigators work to establish how the additional tank was installed and whether the modification played a direct role in the fire.
Manager Dies Hours After Helping Fight Fire
Taufan, a 48-year-old manager at the petrol station, died several hours after taking part in efforts to extinguish the fire. He was among the staff members who responded to the burning motorcycle and helped control the flames using a portable fire extinguisher.
After the fire was put out, Taufan later became unwell, and after the fire was extinguished, Taufan became unwell and was taken to a hospital in the Gabek area, where he later died. to a hospital in the Gabek area, where he died. Police said he had a history of heart disease and may have experienced exhaustion after the incident. However, authorities have not confirmed that exhaustion caused his death or that his involvement in fighting the fire was directly responsible.
The exact connection between his death and the emergency response remains unconfirmed. Pertamina also acknowledged Taufan’s death and expressed condolences to his family. The company said the station supervisor had taken part in handling the fire. His death came several hours after workers managed to contain the blaze at the station.
CCTV Shows Workers Struggling With Fire Extinguishers
CCTV footage from the petrol station also shows the difficulties workers faced while trying to use the portable fire extinguishers during the early moments of the fire. Two workers appear to struggle with the equipment as the motorcycle continues burning close to the pumps. One extinguisher can be seen on the ground while staff move around the area, with other workers arriving shortly afterwards to assist.
The workers eventually manage to activate the extinguishers and direct them at the burning motorcycle until the fire is brought under control. The footage does not establish whether the workers had previously received fire safety training, and authorities have not said that a lack of training contributed to the difficulties seen in the video.
Pertamina later said it was evaluating the incident and coordinating with its Health, Safety, Security and Environment team and the petrol station operator. The company’s response came as footage of the incident continued to circulate online, showing how workers reacted during the first moments of the fire. Police are continuing to investigate the motorcycle’s modified fuel tank, the suspected leak and the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Watch the video here:
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