Pump fire update

LISA HOBBS - News Editor

An internal electrical spark is being cited as the cause of a pump fire at The Landing on Sparta Highway, a situation that could have been deadly if not for swift responses and a little luck.

Owner Paul Patel pointed upwards and stated, “God. It could have been far worse than it was. Give God praise for that.”

Patel says he was alerted to the fire by a restaurant employee. Upon seeing it himself, he called 911 to report that the set of pumps closest to the building were fully engulfed in flames.

Despite being a very popular spot for motorists to fill up, none were at the pumps when they ignited.

“If someone had been fueling up, they could have gotten hurt,” said Patel.

What was present was an 8,000-gallon tanker truck from Tri Star that was filling the station’s fuel reservoir and potentially adding fuel to the fire if the flames reached an underground basin.

According to a store employee, the driver turned and saw the flames.

“At first, he ran,” she stated. “Then, he ran back, shut off the valve and pulled the hose. He moved the truck to behind the store.”

Witnesses reporting hearing and feeling what they described as a “sonic boom.” That was the sound of a steel cover over one reservoir shooting into the air, likely due to an underground buildup of pressure. It flew approximately 30-35 feet into the air before descending. The force bent the steel cover.

Patel, again, expressed appreciation that no one was hurt.

Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department arrived in five minutes, a swift response that Patel credits for containing the fire and preventing it from spreading further. After dousing the flames, firefighters tore into what remained of the pumps to ensure that the fire did not re-ignite.

“They did a good job,” Patel stated, of the firefighters’ efforts.

The pumps belong to Tri Star. Patel says representatives from the company came Thursday night and they blamed a spark inside the display panel as the likely cause.

The Landing was closed after the fire and reopened Friday morning.

“After calling 911, I shut off the electric to everything,” said Patel. “I could feel the heat coming from the fire. I was concerned, because the main wire for the pumps is connected to the register. That’s how we control it. So, I left the electric off until that connection could be severed.”

It is unknown how long The Landing will be without gasoline to offer its customers.