Lawn Mower and Fuel Cause Petroleum Company Fire
No injuries reported
Tuesday, Mar 13, 2012 | Updated 11:20 AM CDT
NBC Local Media
An engine backfire ignited the Pearce petroleum Products in Mineola.
advertisement
Investigators say a lawnmower and spilled fuel caused afire that destroyed much of an East Texas petroleum company.
Hazardous materials crews spent Tuesday removing contaminated soil from Pearce Petroleum Products in Mineola, about 75 miles east of Dallas.
Wood County Fire Marshal Randy Selman said gasoline spilled when an employee replaced the fuel filter and line on a riding lawnmower Sunday night.
The worker was using ether to help start the mower when the engine backfired and the spilled fuel caught fire. The tank on a fuel delivery truck also ruptured and spilled.
Fire department crews put out the blaze in about an hour.
No one was injured.
Copyright Associated Press
Check Out
© 2013 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Portions by Broadcast Interactive Media.