Man Sued by Insurance Company for Accidental Fire Started at Gas Station

By Brian Vargo

Published on July 22, 2005

Richter started the fire while filling a plastic gas container that sat in the back of his truck. Fire officials who examined the case believe that static electricity from the ungrounded plastic ignited the blaze.

Lawyers for EMC Insurance Companies who covers the Lake Spring Shell Mini-Mart argue that Richter failed to heed signs and labels at the gas station warning about the dangers of static electricity when filling plastic gas containers.

Because Richter filled the container as it sat in the back of his truck, the container was not grounded from a static charge. Static warnings state that all plastic gas containers for fueling lawn mowers, all-terrain vehicles, weed trimmers and other small engines must be placed on the ground as they are filled to avoid a potential fire.

Many people are uninformed of the dangers of static electricity at the gas pump. Officials hope that media publicity of these rare accidents will spread awareness.

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