Static discharge blamed in gas pump fire death

[big john]

Evidently it's not an urban myth. This is the nation's second such case.

Coroner rules accident in Lower Allen Township burned body incident
By LARA BRENCKLE, The Patriot-News
March 06, 2010, 3:59PM
The death of a man found burned at a gas station in Lower Allen Township Friday morning has been ruled an accident.

The Lower Allen Township Police Department identified the dead man as township resident Luther David Byers, 19.

The state police fire marshal said the fire was likely caused by a discharge of static electricity.

Police said video footage obtained from the BP gas station at the corner of St. John's and Simpson Ferry roads shows Byers pulling a 2009 Toyota Yaris up to the pumps. No other vehicles are seen.

Police said Byers was not a known smoker and his cell phone had been left behind at home. The keys were not in the car, indicating it was off as Byers refueled.

Gasoline gives off flammable vapors that can ignite at temperatures as low as -45 degrees Fahrenheit. Police remind the public precautions, such as shutting off the car, not smoking at pumps and not getting back into the vehicle while refueling is taking place can prevent the vapors from igniting.

[JollyMon66]

Since you're in Harrisburg we have the same local news....I was shocked when I saw this story. I always thought it was an urban legend as well. Better call Myth Busters in on this one!

[RinglingRingling]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

He was probably wearing polyester pants on cloth seats in a low-humidity environment. I'd bet he got back in the car while filling the tank, left the door open and didn't touch metal when he got out. When he touched the pump nozzle, the spark from rubbing across the seat getting out ignited the vapours at the mouth of the tank and it became, "instant weenie roast".

[ph4ever]

Always touch metal, alway from the tank, if you get into your car while fueling.

[JollyMon66]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

Ever see the episode that tested to see if a porta-potty will explode if you smoke in it? Of course it didn't because the seal on the unit wasn't tight enough. So in typcial Myth Busters fashion they taped up the potty and pump additional methane in....it went BANG. Man ... How do you get a job like those guys?

[ph4ever]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

Ever see the episode that tested to see if a porta-potty will explode if you smoke in it? Of course it didn't because the seal on the unit wasn't tight enough. So in typcial Myth Busters fashion they taped up the potty and pump additional methane in....it went BANG. Man ... How do you get a job like those guys?

you start by being on a Charmin commercial

[Sanjuro's tequila]

I think we all know how this really happened...

[JollyMon66]

I think we all know how this really happened...

Fire Marshall Bill lives again.

[RinglingRingling]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

Ever see the episode that tested to see if a porta-potty will explode if you smoke in it? Of course it didn't because the seal on the unit wasn't tight enough. So in typcial Myth Busters fashion they taped up the potty and pump additional methane in....it went BANG. Man ... How do you get a job like those guys?

better them than their crew. cleaning up smoking puddles of semi-flame-seared poo.... probably comes under "other duties as assigned" on the job description.

[JollyMon66]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

Ever see the episode that tested to see if a porta-potty will explode if you smoke in it? Of course it didn't because the seal on the unit wasn't tight enough. So in typcial Myth Busters fashion they taped up the potty and pump additional methane in....it went BANG. Man ... How do you get a job like those guys?

better them than their crew. cleaning up smoking puddles of semi-flame-seared poo.... probably comes under "other duties as assigned" on the job description.

I'd like to think it was a empty potty just used for demonstration and testing........ worth noting I did shovel out the poo pit to an outhouse at our mountain hunting camp one time. I thought digging a new hole and building a new outhouse was a better option but I was over-ruled. No one on BN needs those details so you're not getting them .......

[Glorfindel7]

This is why no matter how cold it is I never leave the pump while pumping the gas...

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Public service announcement: if you're filling a gas can (metal or plastic), put it on the ground so it's grounded. If you fill it on the bed of a truck a static charge can build and result in an explosion.

[SeattleParrotHead]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

He was probably wearing polyester pants on cloth seats in a low-humidity environment. I'd bet he got back in the car while filling the tank, left the door open and didn't touch metal when he got out. When he touched the pump nozzle, the spark from rubbing across the seat getting out ignited the vapours at the mouth of the tank and it became, "instant weenie roast".

While I do think there should be a penalty for wearing polyester pants, this was pretty harsh . . . . Prayers to his family.

[Bicycle Bill]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

He was probably wearing polyester pants on cloth seats in a low-humidity environment. I'd bet he got back in the car while filling the tank, left the door open and didn't touch metal when he got out. When he touched the pump nozzle, the spark from rubbing across the seat getting out ignited the vapours at the mouth of the tank and it became, "instant weenie roast".

And of course you could replicate the conditions and try to get a spark to ignite gas fumes like that from now until next Halloween without it happening, but once in a while it will occur. It's like the lottery; people know they've got a better chance of being struck by lightning than hitting the Powerball, but it *does* happen so they will still buy tickets.

-"BB"-

[rich_big]

This is not the news story Toyota needs right now. Their cars blow up when you put gas in them. Great.

[RinglingRingling]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

Ever see the episode that tested to see if a porta-potty will explode if you smoke in it? Of course it didn't because the seal on the unit wasn't tight enough. So in typcial Myth Busters fashion they taped up the potty and pump additional methane in....it went BANG. Man ... How do you get a job like those guys?

better them than their crew. cleaning up smoking puddles of semi-flame-seared poo.... probably comes under "other duties as assigned" on the job description.

I'd like to think it was a empty potty just used for demonstration and testing........ worth noting I did shovel out the poo pit to an outhouse at our mountain hunting camp one time. I thought digging a new hole and building a new outhouse was a better option but I was over-ruled. No one on BN needs those details so you're not getting them .......

10 gallons of diesel, some quicklime.. problem solved.

[Hockey Mon]

This whole thread is shocking...

[Bicycle Bill]

Evidently it's not an urban myth. This is the nation's second such case.

One more and maybe the CPSC will ban self-serve gas pumps. After all, it only took three people dying for them to ban these:



(from the CPSC website)

Effective December 19, 1988, all lawn darts are banned from sale in the United States. Lawn darts, used in an outdoor game, have been responsible for the deaths of 3 children.

A set of lawn darts usually includes four large darts and two targets. The darts typically are about 12 inches long with a heavy metal or weighted plastic tip on one end and three plastic fins on a rod at the other end. The darts are intended to be grasped by the rod and thrown underhand toward a target. While the tip may not be sharp enough to be obviously dangerous, these darts can cause skull punctures and other serious injuries.

Interestingly enough, if you Google 'lawn darts' the second hit is a US site that sells these things in part form; buy enough of the appropriate pieces, and you too can engage in a banned activity.

And it's more fun than 'corn-holing' . Whoever gave that game *that* name, anyway ?????

-"BB"-

[RinglingRingling]

Evidently it's not an urban myth. This is the nation's second such case.

One more and maybe the CPSC will ban self-serve gas pumps. After all, it only took three people dying for them to ban these:



(from the CPSC website)

Effective December 19, 1988, all lawn darts are banned from sale in the United States. Lawn darts, used in an outdoor game, have been responsible for the deaths of 3 children.

A set of lawn darts usually includes four large darts and two targets. The darts typically are about 12 inches long with a heavy metal or weighted plastic tip on one end and three plastic fins on a rod at the other end. The darts are intended to be grasped by the rod and thrown underhand toward a target. While the tip may not be sharp enough to be obviously dangerous, these darts can cause skull punctures and other serious injuries.

Interestingly enough, if you Google 'lawn darts' the second hit is a US site that sells these things in part form; buy enough of the appropriate pieces, and you too can engage in a banned activity.

And it's more fun than 'corn-holing' . Whoever gave that game *that* name, anyway ?????

-"BB"-

my personal favourite: Olympic Javelin-catching. Like Lawndarts.. but with javelins. and medals for the winners (?)

[RinglingRingling]

already been studied as part of the "talking on cell phones at the pump causes fires".

He was probably wearing polyester pants on cloth seats in a low-humidity environment. I'd bet he got back in the car while filling the tank, left the door open and didn't touch metal when he got out. When he touched the pump nozzle, the spark from rubbing across the seat getting out ignited the vapours at the mouth of the tank and it became, "instant weenie roast".

And of course you could replicate the conditions and try to get a spark to ignite gas fumes like that from now until next Halloween without it happening, but once in a while it will occur. It's like the lottery; people know they've got a better chance of being struck by lightning than hitting the Powerball, but it *does* happen so they will still buy tickets.

-"BB"-

somewhere in the exurban areas of KY, someone has broken out the lime-green polyester leisure suit ("but honey, y'all gotta show some style, an' not jus' at Church...") and is attempting this as we speak.