CCTV footage shows the moment a man accidentally set several cars on fire after lighting a cigarette while allegedly trying to steal petrol.

The 26-year-old, who was later found by police with burns on his leg, also appeared to be engulfed by flames.

He was charged with arson and illegal interference with a motor vehicle following the incident at a car park in Millicent in South Australia, according to The Advertiser.

Fire crews were called and managed to stop the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.

The damage is estimated at £60,884.

Car park owner Angus McDonald told Channel Ten Eyewitness News: "He was trying to get the fuel out of the car by punching a hole in the tank - that's when the explosion happened.

"There's about $110,000 worth of cars that have been lost and there's a bit of damage to the walls.

"We were very lucky the workshop didn't catch on fire because there's cars just over the other side of the wall."