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December 10, 2009

Three more kerosene pumps locked down

Submitted by the Georgia Department of Agr

Georgia Department of Agriculture fuel inspectors today locked down three more kerosene pumps in North Georgia due to gasoline contamination in addition to the one shut down yesterday in Carnesville, Commissioner Tommy Irvin announced.

Commissioner Irvin is warning consumers who purchased kerosene on or after October 19, 2009, at any of the following stations in Blairsville or Hiawassee not to use the product and to return the kerosene to the stores for reimbursement. The contaminated kerosene has the potential to cause an explosion or fire if used in home heaters or lamps.

The stores where the routine samples were found to be contaminated and the pumps closed today were:

Mountain Express # 10; 7609 Murphy Hwy; Blairsville;

Treetops Lakeside; 1300 Hwy 75; Hiawassee; and

Marathon #1; 163 South Main Street, Hiawassee.

Inspectors closed the kerosene pumps yesterday at Royal Food Mart #54 Chevron, located at 9508 Lavonia Road, Carnesville.

All of the kerosene pumps at the four North Georgia stores will remain closed and no sales will be allowed until the problem has been corrected and new samples have been tested and approved, Irvin said.

Precautions always should be taken with any space heaters. Check out the heater and the kerosene for malfunctions and contamination between uses, especially if it has been sitting for sometime. Kerosene heaters should be filled and tested in an outdoor setting, operated only in a properly ventilated room on level surfaces, and kept at least 36 inches away from combustible walls, furnishings and materials, such as furniture, drapes, fabric and paper and clothing. Turn it off before going to sleep, and never leave a kerosene heater unattended.

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