Police in Hamilton say quick work by staff prevented a potentially disastrous fire at a petrol station on Tuesday.
They say the incident started at about 10pm when a man armed with a knife started attacking a petrol bowser, then used the hose's metal nozzle to damage a car parked on the forecourt.
They say he then tried to start a fire on the forecourt before setting fire to the interior of another car.
Police say quick thinking actions by an employee meant the flow of fuel to the pump was rapidly shut off, minimising the potential risk and allowing fire-fighters to extinguish the fires.
A man has been arrested and referred for psychiatric assessment.
