The National Petroleum Marketing Company (NP has said that quick work by a gas station owner prevented a worse situation when a vehicle lost control and crashed into one of its service centres in La Brea on Friday,
The incident occurred at the NP La Brea Service Station at approximately 4 pm.
"The Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (NP) can confirm that a motorist lost control of a vehicle which plowed into other nearby vehicles, eventually colliding with one of the Super/Premium fuel dispensers at the Service Station, causing it to fall on to another vehicle. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries to customers or Service Station personnel at the time this release was being prepared," NP said in a statement.
It said that following established Service Station emergency protocol, the dealer immediately activated the emergency shutdown device/switch which shuts down all power and the flow of fuel to all dispensers, inclusive of the damaged dispenser.
"As a result of this quick action, the automatic shut-off valve system functioned as designed and there was no gushing or spillage of fuel on to the forecourt. However, as a precautionary measure, fire extinguishers were discharged by the forecourt attendants on duty and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services were also on hand to support the emergency response."
NP said the area around the affected dispenser was immediately cordoned off and members of NP’s Maintenance Department were subsequently deployed.
It added that once on site, the maintenance team conducted the complete isolation of the damaged fuel dispenser both electrically and mechanically (fuel line isolation), to prevent fuel spilling or power inadvertently causing the activation of the unit. "Furthermore, the damaged dispenser has been removed from the site and the area will remain cordoned off as the team works to replace it in the coming days. Moreover, the Service Station was back up and running at approximately 11:00 PM last evening, thereby reducing the inconvenience caused to La Brea residents and the wider community," NP said.