A lengthy queue at this British petrol station - and frustration for many drivers.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED DRIVER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I can't believe how many garages are now closed and out of fuel."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANOTHER UNIDENTIFIED DRIVER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I think people are just panicking, aren't they? Basically, that's all they're doing, just panicking."<br/> <br />Fears over a possible strike by fuel delivery drivers have sparked panic buying at many petrol pumps, causing a shortage.<br/> <br />British unions have now ruled out an Easter strike and are accusing the government of inflaming the crisis - after a cabinet minister told motorists to fill cans with petrol and store them at home.<br/> <br />One woman who followed that advice set herself on fire in this house when petrol fumes ignited as she was transferring fuel between containers.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) STATION MANAGER LEE SMITH FROM THE NORTH YORKSHIRE FIRE SERVICE, SAYING:<br/> <br />"What I understand is that it was tea time at the property, people were cooking the evening meal. And the lady involved was also decanting petrol from a petrol can to a glass jug."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARGOT JOHNSTON, A NEIGHBOUR OF THE BURN VICTIM, SAYING:<br/> <br />"But really, she shouldn't have been doing that, should she. In the kitchen, with the gas cooker on, apparently."<br/> <br />Motoring groups are urging consumers to stay calm.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, EDMUND KING, SAYING:<br/> <br />"There are plenty of supplies coming through. And if everyone followed their normal buying patterns rather than just topping up all the time, there would not be a shortage at all."<br/> <br />The government is due to meet fuel delivery companies to discuss contingency plans for a possible strike.<br/> <br />Sunita Rappai, Reuters
