Hamilton Police are crediting the prompt reaction of service station staff for averting a potential disaster after an agitated man allegedly set fire to a car and assaulted a man on the forecourt overnight.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Mortimore of the Hamilton CIB said emergency services were called to the service station in Whitiora about 10pm.
"We received a call about a man armed with a knife attacking a petrol bowser and then using the fuel hose's metal nozzle to damage a car parked on the forecourt.
"He has then used fuel from the pump to try and start a fire on the forecourt before setting fire to the interior of another car."
Mr Mortimore said a major incident was averted by the quick thinking actions of the staff member secured behind the locked doors of the service station.
"The attendant was able to automatically stop the flow of fuel to that pump thereby minimising the potential risk and responding Police and fire-fighters were able to extinguish the fires.
"The man fled the scene of his attack and was apprehended a short time later in the grounds of a nearby super market. Referred for psychiatric assessment, what if any charges he may face will be determined by the outcome of that assessment."
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