In our country, siphoning of diesel/petrol from fuel tanks is a common practice. We describe a 60–year–old farmer, who accidentally aspirated fuel while siphoning from his generator. A diagnosis of diesel induced aspiration pneumonia was confirmed by the presence of foam cells on bronchial biopsy. The patient showed gradual recovery with the symptomatic therapy. Diesel aspiration leading to bilateral pneumonitis is yet to be reported in our country.