Community Risk

Fire Erupts at Va. Gas Station After Truck Slams Pumps

March 20, 2013

Downed wires from an early morning accident may have sparked a fire at gas station in Newport News.

Source Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)

March 20--NEWPORT NEWS -- Downed wires from an early morning accident may have sparked a fire at gas station in the Southeast section of the city, police said.

Firefighters responded to a blaze at about 5:30 a.m. at the Citgo gas station at 27th Street and Buxton Avenue, said Lou Thurston, a spokesman for the Newport News Police Department. The fire was first noticed by a police officer directing traffic in the area, Thurston said.

A police officer at the fire scene said the blaze appeared to be ignited by downed wires from an earlier accident.

The wreck occurred at about 5 a.m. when a pickup truck struck a utility pole, causing downed wires, which caused portions of the road to be blocked and a power outage in the area, Thurston said. There were no serious injuries in the crash, Thurston said.

Staff writer Sarah Pawlowski contributed to this report.

Check back to dailypress.com for more on this developing story.