If you find yourself concocting a plan involving a parked car, a can of gasoline, and a lighter, you’re likely in the wrong. Sometimes, we get footage of bad decisions and crimes like those as a cautionary tale for all. This video depicts an arsonist using a fuel accelerant and a lighter to set a car on fire. As you might expect, it goes horribly, hilariously wrong. 

A video captured an arsonist getting blown off their feet after making a foolish attempt to set a car on fire

A popular Instagram video shows a person in gray sweatpants, a black hoodie, and a surgical mask approaching a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. Troublingly, the person is dumping mass quantities of gasoline out of a small fuel canister through an open window all over the back seats. You might see where this is going.

The suspect pulls the gas can from the open window and sets it down on the pavement. At this point, the Jeep SUV must be drenched in volatile fuel. After setting the can on the pavement, the arsonist attempts to set the vehicle on fire right next to another car. However, the accelerant goes up in a brilliant flash, forcing the criminal off their feet and slamming them into a nearby Ford Taurus.   

Whatever the reason, the criminal succeeded in setting the fourth-generation Grand Cherokee on fire. However, the flash of white-hot fire clearly shocked the criminal. They crawled away on the pavement before regaining composure and recovering their tools. 

Understandably, viewers were less-than-understanding with their responses. “Whoever’s missing eyebrows in the police lineup is guilty,” one response read. Another person responded sarcastically, “Luckily this wasn’t in broad daylight or anything, or she’d be in trouble.” 

Watch the video of the foolish fire starter below!