US man drinks petrol from jar, lights cigarette, dies

A MAN IN North Carolina in the United States has died after he accidentally drank from a jar of petrol and then smoked a cigarette.

Police in the area received a 911 call about 9.55pm on Monday evening after 43-year-old Gary Allen Banning set himself on fire. Banning was transported to the burn centre at a North Carolina hospital, where he died early on Tuesday morning.

A spokeswoman for the city Diane Miller said investigators believe Banning was at a friend’s apartment when he apparently mistook a jar of petrol sitting by the kitchen sink for a beverage. After taking a gulp, he spit it out and got some on his clothes.

Sometime later, investigators say Banning went outside to smoke a cigarette and burst into flame.

Havelock police and the city fire marshal are continuing their investigation.

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