11 Things You're Terrified Of, But Shouldn't Be

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78. Perhaps some electrical engineering & chaos theory can help explain this as a possibility:

Most Cell phones have a 7.2 volt battery ( 2 X 3.7 volt Lithium cells in series).
The Older clamshell designs actually have a power switch attached to the cover, to turn on/ off the main functions.
Some models have a snap-switch with which to control power.
The Power-on circuit has a standard capacitor & /or a filter coil circuit on the power input circuit. This can generate a reverse EMF spark.
The act of turning ON, the Cell Phone, or Turning it OFF, CAN generate that small spark around & about the switch Contacts when these events occur. If there is enough Air & Gas fumes near these events: Whoosh!, ignition occurs.

This is where the Chaos theory comes in: The remote chance of these conditions being in good statistical alignment is remote, but REAL.
So Thoughtlessly answering your clamshell design, or snap-switch phone while pumping gas, or in proximity of that activity can statistically align to create this type of disaster.
The chances of it occurring has been greatly reduced by the capacitive touch screen technology, as in say, IPhones. But home screen & power buttons STILL have the possibility of this as a problem.
It is better to act in the mode of caution, than take a chance, or operate in wholesale ignorance of the possibility, and say it will NEVER happen. it CAN.