Nebraska State Fire Marshal - Programs and Services - Fuels - Flammable Liquids Storage Tanks

Motor Vehicle Fueling Fires

Since July of 1997, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated several accidental fires that appear to be very unique. These fires occur when a motor vehicle is being filled with fuel including various grades of gasoline and 10% ethanol blend or “gasohol”. The fire begins at the point where the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the vehicle fuel tank opening. At some point during the filling operation, the vapors escaping out of the fuel tank (around the nozzle) are ignited by what we believe to be a static-generated spark.

We have not yet been able to determine why this sparking is occurring so, we are not sure what measures need to be undertaken to prevent this from happening in the future. This event appears to be spontaneous and occurs at facilities that have been properly grounded (electrically) from the fueling nozzle through the dispenser as well as those facilities where the electrical ground has been found to be insufficient.

Once ignition of the vapors occurs, the fire will continue until the fuel supply has been shut off. Although, in most cases, damage and injuries have been minor, major property damage has resulted when the fuel supply from the dispensing mechanism has not been stopped.

The fire damage has been minimal at facilities with underground tanks and has been localized to the dispenser, vehicle and nearby objects with some minor injuries reported. Damage has been extensive at facilities with aboveground tanks. In two incidents, vehicles and nearby buildings were destroyed when the fires at the vehicles burned through the dispensing hoses allowing the tank to drain out of the open end of the hose. The resulting heat from the fires caused the gasoline tanks and other nearby fuel tanks to catastrophically fail, thereby releasing their contents onto the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from either of these incidents.

Because of the relatively few occurrences of this type of fire, our office feels that the personal risk in fueling a motor vehicle is quite small. However, the potential for personal injury and property damage is significant whenever a fire, especially under these circumstances, occurs. Our office is working diligently to find a solution to this static-sparking problem.

If you have information or any knowledge of similar fires occurring, please contact the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Fuels Division, Flammable Liquid Storage Tank (FLST) Section in Lincoln, Nebraska by phone at (402) 471-9465. I can also be reached through my email at clark.conklin@sfm.ne.gov.



MENU	Motor Vehicle Fueling Fires Since July of 1997, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated several accidental fires that appear to be very unique. These fires occur when a motor vehicle is being filled with fuel including various grades of gasoline and 10% ethanol blend or “gasohol”. The fire begins at the point where the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the vehicle fuel tank opening. At some point during the filling operation, the vapors escaping out of the fuel tank (around the nozzle) are ignited by what we believe to be a static-generated spark. We have not yet been able to determine why this sparking is occurring so, we are not sure what measures need to be undertaken to prevent this from happening in the future. This event appears to be spontaneous and occurs at facilities that have been properly grounded (electrically) from the fueling nozzle through the dispenser as well as those facilities where the electrical ground has been found to be insufficient. Once ignition of the vapors occurs, the fire will continue until the fuel supply has been shut off. Although, in most cases, damage and injuries have been minor, major property damage has resulted when the fuel supply from the dispensing mechanism has not been stopped. The fire damage has been minimal at facilities with underground tanks and has been localized to the dispenser, vehicle and nearby objects with some minor injuries reported. Damage has been extensive at facilities with aboveground tanks. In two incidents, vehicles and nearby buildings were destroyed when the fires at the vehicles burned through the dispensing hoses allowing the tank to drain out of the open end of the hose. The resulting heat from the fires caused the gasoline tanks and other nearby fuel tanks to catastrophically fail, thereby releasing their contents onto the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from either of these incidents. Because of the relatively few occurrences of this type of fire, our office feels that the personal risk in fueling a motor vehicle is quite small. However, the potential for personal injury and property damage is significant whenever a fire, especially under these circumstances, occurs. Our office is working diligently to find a solution to this static-sparking problem. If you have information or any knowledge of similar fires occurring, please contact the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Fuels Division, Flammable Liquid Storage Tank (FLST) Section in Lincoln, Nebraska by phone at (402) 471-9465. I can also be reached through my email at clark.conklin@sfm.ne.gov.
246 South 14th Street; Lincoln, NE 68508-1804; Phone: (402) 471-2027; Fax: (402) 471-3118