Petrol station saved seconds from explosion

A brave Russian petrol station worker has risked his life to shut off the valves of a damaged fuel tanker only moments before it was engulfed by flames.

Arsene Fitsulaev has been given a bravery award for his daring save that was caught by cameras at the station in Kaspiysk on the Caspian Sea on January 24.

The terrifying events were sparked by a passing black car that bungles a turn and clips the fuel tank, releasing highly flammable gas and leaking petrol all over the ground, the Daily Mail reports.

The motorist speeds away from the scene as Mr Fitsulaev sprints out to the tank, which is immediately shrouded in fumes.

He is seen desperately trying to turn off the fuel taps and runs away from the tank mere moments before the leaked petrol is ignited by a passing car.

Mr Fitsulaev has barely left when the blaze swamps the forecourt, including the tank which would have almost certainly exploded had it not been secured.

Source: Daily Mail.