Crime & Safety
Thief Steals Vehicle While Gas Pumps, Leads To Fuel Spill In Milford
Forty-four gallons of fuel spilled out after a thief stole a car at an I-95 rest stop gas station Thursday evening, fire officials said.
MILFORD, CT — A thief stole a vehicle from a gas station while fuel was pumping, leading to a significant gas spill.
The Milford Emergency Operations Center received a 911 call to the I-95 South rest stop at 6 p.m. Thursday, according to Fire Battalion Chief/Public Information Officer Adam Hansen. A driver had pulled into the rest area to get gas.
The driver went to use the facilities while the pump was running and filling up the tank. When the driver went inside, someone came up and stole the vehicle, Hansen said.
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The car thief drove away while the nozzle was still inserted and gas was pumping.
The nozzle broke away from the vehicle and landed on the ground while gasoline continued to flow.
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About 44 gallons of fuel was dispensed on the ground. Before the fire department arrived, the fuel had flowed into two separate storm drains.
Crews worked to contain the remainder of the fuel.
A hazardous materials crew and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection also responded. A cleanup contractor was requested to begin the cleanup process.
State police are investigating.
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