Press staff reports
A gasoline pump was damaged Wednesday afternoon at a Tahlequah convenience store when a customer drove away with the nozzle of the pump still in his gas tank.
Firefighters said when a man driving a pickup pulled away from the pump at Big B’s, the nozzle remained attached to his vehicle and pulled the tank from its moorings. Sparks from the pump’s falling ignited fuel on the ground.
A volunteer firefighter was in the area when the incident was reported. The emergency shut-off switch on the pump was used to avoid a larger spill.
The Tahlequah Fire Department responded at 3:32 p.m. and firefighters were on scene for 45 minutes. The driver also remained at the scene.
A minimal amount of fuel was lost. Firefighters said Big B’s closed briefly, but reopened after the damaged pump was capped. The store was still able to sell fuel.
Damage is estimated at several thousand dollars, but there were no injuries.
