LOOK: Southern Indiana Gas Station Erupts in Flames

Monday evening was a hectic one for firefighters in rural Indiana, as crews battled flames engulfing a Sunoco gas station.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments in the United States respond to about 4,150 gas station fires each year. These fires cause an average of 3 deaths and 43 injuries annually, with property damage averaging around $30 million across the board.

As you may have already gathered, these fires are extremely dangerous due to the flammable nature of gasoline. Fire crews in southern Indiana recently came face to face with such a blaze, which required the assistance of several departments.

Southern Indiana Fire Crews Respond to Structure Fire

Tri-Township Fire & Rescue via Facebook

The fire was reported just before midnight on Monday, Feb. 11, in the 7300 block of Appleleaf Lane in Sellersburg. Tri-Township Fire & Rescue reported that units arrived on the scene and stretched two lines to combat the flames. Firefighters reported that surrounding structures were protected, with no extension of the fire. All suppression crews have since cleared the scene, and fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Leading Causes of Gas Station Fires

While we don't know exactly what caused this fire to erupt, the NFPA notes that most gas station fires are started by electrical, cooking, or heating equipment. Only about 8% of gas station fires are started by smoking materials. You can see the full breakdown below:

Electrical Distribution and Lighting Equipment: 21%
Cooking: 19%
Heating Equipment: 10%
Intentional: 10%
Smoking Materials: 8%
Fans or Air Conditioning: 7%
Shop Tools and Industrial Equipment: 5%
Exposure: 4%

Gas Station Fires Are Decreasing in the 21st Century

It's also worth noting that fires of this kind have been declining in recent years. In 1980, there were 7,860 fires reported at these properties, and by 2018, this number had almost halved to 4,370. The reduction in fires also correlates with a decrease in associated injuries. Data from 1980 indicates there were over 100 injuries resulting from these fires, a stark contrast to the 44 reported in 2018.