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Hummer catches fire after Florida driver fills up 4 containers of gasoline

By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

HOMOSASSA, Fla. — A Hummer burst into flames Wednesday after the driver filled up four containers of gasoline at a Florida gas station, authorities said.

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Crews from Citrus County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire at the Texaco Food Mart in Homosassa at about 10:52 a.m. EDT, the Citrus County Chronicle reported.

The driver of the Hummer H2 SUV had just filled up gas containers and stored them in the back of the vehicle when they burst into flames, the newspaper reported.

Firefighters found four 5-gallon containers in the vehicle, WFLA reported.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire by 11:09 a.m., the television station reported.

Citrus County fire officials said one person was injured but refused to be transported for medical treatment, WTVT reported. The extent of the person’s injuries was unknown.

The Florida state fire marshal arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation, and officials with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection were notified to coordinate cleanup of the fuel spill, the Chronicle reported.

Fire crews cleared the scene at 1:36 p.m., the newspaper reported.

Petroleum industry officials and Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday urged Floridians to avoid “panic buying” of gasoline, WTVT reported. There was a run on gasoline after the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which carries fuel to much of the East Coast. The pipeline, which was the victim of a cyberattack last week, became operational again Wednesday after being shut down for several days.

According to AAA, 90% of Florida’s gas supply comes in on cargo ships at the state’s many ports, WFLA reported. Tanker trucks then deliver the gasoline to pumps across the state.

>> Colonial Pipeline resuming operations

“This is not a refinery issue. Gasoline is still being made and fuel continues sailing through Florida ports, regardless of whether Colonial Pipeline is operational,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins told the television station.

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