Guys, I've had it happen to me before. About 17+ years ago I was helping my brother change out the fuel filter in his VW bug. It was located under the rear of the bug where the fuel line transfers from the pan (chassis) to the engine compartment. I had a drop light hanging from one of the holes in the underside of the rear fender and was changing the filter (drivers side rear wheel was off). Well there was gas everywhere, I had pinched off the line from the tank with my small vise grips, but the fuel emptied out of the carb rather quickly. I was getting up to get the new filter when I bumpted the light. It fumbed around for a few seconds as I tried to grab it before it hit...WHOOOSH! I was lucky to have gotten up quickly when it hit (I had gas all the way down my arm). My brother went flying into the back yard to get a hose as I am trying to push it the rest of the way out of my garage (attached garage).
He got the fire out immediately and we both caught our breath, it could have been much worse. I no longer use drop lights anywhere near fuel anymore
I have another long fuel burning story (kinda funny), but that is for another day.
Mike