Contaminated-Gas Investigation Centers On Camden Station

CAMDEN, NJ — Several vehicles broke down after fueling up Wednesday at a Conoco station in Camden. Floodwaters may have contaminated the gas in the wake of this week's winter storm, officials said.

The Camden County Division of Weights and Measures opened an investigation Wednesday night into whether the Conoco served contaminated fuel. The gas station is on Admiral Wilson Boulevard, which flooded during Tuesday's storm.

At the scene, investigators observed several broken-down vehicles on the side of the road. Others were getting towed off the roadway's westbound lane. Twenty-six vehicles had confirmed issues at the station, according to the county government's current tally.

The gas station voluntarily closed Wednesday and had caution tape around the pumps when Weights and Measures arrived.

County officials are monitoring the situation "very closely," said County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge.

"We have teams investigating the possibility of water contamination in the underground storage tanks due to flooding caused by the storm and we will continue to update the public as needed," Betteridge said.

Officials initiated tests to determine whether the fuel was contaminated, with results expected at some point Friday, said Dan Keashan, a county spokesperson.

"Once the investigation is concluded, the potential penalties (against the gas station) will be determined," Keashan told Patch.

Several steps are required before Conoco can reopen. Once officials receive the test results, the station must get a company to pump out all contaminated gas. Once the fuel is removed, the company must remediate the inside of the tanks. Then, Conoco will need a new delivery.

The gas station must show officials receipts that prove it completed those steps. A Weights and Measures officer will then pull a sample of the new gas. Once it passes a lab test, Conoco can reopen.