Conn. Gas Station Suppression System Goes Off

Sept. 14--FAIRFIELD -- Customers filling up their gas tanks at the Shell station on Black Rock Turnpike received quite a surprise Wednesday morning when the sensor on the fire suppression system above the gas pumps was triggered, sending a shower of powder down. There were no injuries.

The white chemicals sprayed down onto a tanker truck, a mini-van and a pickup truck, covering the gas pumps and the ground.

"It was like snow," said Steve Norris, who was working at a nearby store. Store employees said the foam spray was startling. The gas station and convenience store were both closed at 11 a.m. and were expected to reopen later in the day.

Firefighters from Engine 2 and Ladder 7 responded to the scene. Employees and customers were examined by EMTs but none were hospitalized.

Officials from Shell and Standard Oil, the owners of the tanker that was filling up the gas tanks at the time of the incident, also came to the gas station to investigate what happened.