Waltham Gas Station Sprinkler System Goes Crazy

WALTHAM, MA — The special sprinkler system that all gas stations have to put out fires went off at the Gulf Station on Trapelo Road in Waltham, blanketing cars and customers in the white fire suppression powder.

"Imagine taking a big handful of baking powder and just tossing it on a fire," said Deputy Chief Andrew Mullin. "That's what this was. Only a lot bigger."

And in this case, there was no fire.

Mullin said someone called emergency responders at 2:37 p.m. and when firefighters arrived they checked in with the six people who were at the gas station with the cloud of non-toxic white fire suppressant came down. No one needed to be taken to the hospital he said.

"It was like a car wash," said Sean Martinos who works at Mike's Gulf at the corner of Trapelo and Smith. "I had no idea what to do."

Martinos (who is days away from graduating from Waltham High School) was working at the counter ringing up two people when the cloud of white came down on cars and people out at the pumps.

"I felt so bad for these people, they were covered," he said.

The owner's brother was nearby so he popped over and helped make the calls, said Martinos.

Deputy Chief Mullin said although this is not something Waltham sees every day, system malfunctions do happen from time to time across the country.

The owner of the gas station was working with crews to get the station cleaned up and cleared with the DEP.

"My first priority was making sure no one was hurt, then it's cleaning up and working with the DEP," said owner Mike Mol who said the gas station has been in business here since 1995.

He said he wasn't sure what caused the malfunction but he was hoping to be back in business Thursday afternoon.

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch