Ernakulam: Little did Prasad know that trying to light a cigarette after leaving a petrol pump on his bike would land him in jail. The Desam native ended up setting his own bike on fire while attempting to smoke just after leaving the petrol station at Athani near Aluva.

The incident happened after 7 pm on Saturday. Prasad, a daily wage labourer, was returning home after work and was under the influence of alcohol.

Prasad had stopped at a petrol pump in Athani to refuel his motorcycle. Unable to smoke at the pump, he moved his vehicle just outside to the roadside and lit a cigarette, an officer at the Chengamanadu Police Station said.

While attempting to put his lighter back into a rexine bag strapped above the fuel tank, the bag suddenly caught fire, police said. The flames quickly spread, partially burning the motorcycle and completely destroying the bag.

Seeing the fire, locals at the scene reacted swiftly and managed to contain the blaze before it could cause further damage. No injuries were reported.

The police have arrested Prasad and confirmed that he had consumed alcohol. A case has been registered against him for drunk driving.