LEBANON — Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that resulted in a gas pump fire on the Miracle Mile on Sunday, according to Police Chief Phillip Roberts.
“Two occupants of the vehicle were evaluated by emergency medical personnel and declined further medical treatment,” according to a press release from the Lebanon Fire Department. No other injuries were reported.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, at approximately 4:21 p.m., the Lebanon Fire Department responded to a reported motor vehicle crash involving a gas pump at the Mobil station located at 364 Miracle Mile in Lebanon, the release stated. The gas station is located in front of Tractor Supply Co.
“Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a gasoline pump that had been struck by a vehicle and displaced from its mounting pad, with an active fire involving the pump,” the release stated. No vehicles caught fire, and the facility’s automatic fire suppression system activated, containing the flames to the area around the pump.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining fire and used absorbent materials and containment booms to limit the spread of fuel and contaminated runoff, the release said. The fire department coordinated with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services regarding potential environmental concerns, according to the release.
Roberts said Lebanon police interviewed two drivers involved in the incident on Sunday. He said the crash occurred when a local motorist traveling up the hill from the area of Listen Thrift Store & Donation Center, east on Route 4, turned left into the Tractor Supply driveway.
The second driver, from Connecticut, was heading west and told police the other driver cut him off, so “he swerved to the right to try to avoid a collision and struck the gas pumps,” Roberts said.
He said the investigation is ongoing and he was unsure whether any charges would be brought. He expected the investigation to be finalized within a couple of days.
“The quick activation of the facility’s fire suppression system and the actions of the store employee in shutting down the fuel supply were instrumental in limiting the severity of this incident,” the press release said.
Police closed a portion of the Miracle Mile during the incident.
Lebanon Fire Chief Jim Wheatley said the right actions to take in a similar situation are to immediately evacuate the area, get as far away as possible and call 911. “Don’t try to move the vehicle, and don’t try to put the fire out,” he said.
