Good call. We have lived and worked through many hurricanes and tornadoes. It never fails that some jackass diverts scarce emergency resources or places a lot of people in peril by doing something stupid. Starting fires; cutting body parts off with chainsaws (the guy running a chainsaw in flip flops and shorts is my favorite); felling trees on people, houses, and power lines; electrocuting themselves; destroying things with stolen heavy equipment; driving into swift water; etc, but this guy gets an A rating for stupidity.

Absolutely it was a good call.

Additionally the station attendant should have been watching and shut off the pump.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
It's actually illegal here in GA to fill anything other than a regulated container.

Call the police!

Same in Michigan

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
It's actually illegal here in GA to fill anything other than a regulated container.

Call the police!

Same in Michigan

Same here. Big time fire code violation.

Absolutely good call. I'm usually a mind my own business person, but that crosses my threshold of "do I want that guy on the road endangering my family".

Everyone has a right to be safe, regardless of whether it’s from someone waving a gun around at a range or someone handling dangerous chemicals in a reckless manner. In this situation, it’s not as though things could be corrected by a quick, “Hey, man, keep the muzzle pointed downrange.” When faced with something unusual many people have a tendency to freeze up and not do anything because they can’t think a step or two ahead.

And, of course, some people are idiots themselves and think, “Oh, I do that all the time and have never blown myself up, so it’s nothing to worry about.”

Very good call.

Every pump here has a sign on it about being illegal to put gas into unapproved containers.

If it is like the 7-11s here the attendants are inside working the cash registers. No one is outside monitoring the gas pumps.

Based on the potential outcome I think you made a good call. Even if he had the trash cans tied down and he made it out of the gas station without the fumes igniting, the first time he hit the brakes there would have been gas everywhere.

You could well have saved lives.

Yes, against the law. The guy's selfishness eclipsed his stupidity.

TRANSPORTING CLASS 3 FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Requirements of the Department of Transportation is a lengthly list. "Trash cans" are not approved.

One of the officers I was in the Navy with lost his two young sons when they decided to play "fill 'er up" in their garage. They took the garden hose, turned on the water and filled the gas tank of the car to where the gas overflowed onto the floor, the fumes made it to the hot water heater pilot light, and no more garage, car, or sons.

In the OP's case, even filling approved containers in the bed of the pick up is dangerous. The container must be on the ground to minimize the potential for static electricity. One spark is all it takes.

Good call. Whenever I see people filling up approved containers not in the ground, I make it a point to tell them to do it outside their car.

OH Hell yes - Good Call

There's more than just an explosion to worry about. A spill, fumes, etc..

Crazy shit happens fast. No amount of reaction time can save stupid.

You can't predict an accident, so the next best is to use what's between your ears. You did just that.

Cheers~

Check the poll. There is "1" in every crowd...

Yes, good call on that one.

Fire hazard and probably a good chance of a spill. Nevermind if that idiot got involved in a traffic accident on the way home.

This is why I thank God my state (OR) does not have Self Serve gas.

What I find astounding is there are a couple members that actually felt "mind your own business."

Several years ago my wife and I were out doing yard work when we smelled natural gas. Turned out to be coming from a leaking flange on a next-door-neigbour's gas meter. Nobody was home. Immediately called the utility. They came out, confirmed it, fixed it (only took tightening and testing the flange), and left a notice with the neighbour.

Next thing I know: Wild, screaming, expletive-laden rant on our answering machine from the neighbour's wife about how it was none of our business and now they'd have to pay for what her husband could have fixed, etc., etc.

Stupid, ignorant, drunken bint. A gas leak that close to the house (it was actually under a bow window) can seep into the home, build up, and KA-BLOOIE! Plus there's no charge from this utility for fixing natural gas leaks outside the home.

Her husband later apologized for her behaviour.

Neighbour down the street burning in violation of a burning ordinance? That's one thing. As long as he's not about to set the woods afire: Have at it. But why would anybody purposely disregard such imminently dangerous situations as these, which could easily result in massive property damage, injury, and even death?

Good Call.
Must be in an approved container and IIRC It is more than 90 gallons must have D.O.T hazardous labels.

I'm normally a big fan of mind your own business, but when someone's actions endanger a lot of other folks it is a different story.

If he had a truck full of approved containers, was grounding them before filling, he'd still be a selfish ass, but what this guy was doing was just stupid.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
If he had a truck full of approved containers, was grounding them before filling, he'd still be a selfish ass, but what this guy was doing was just stupid.

Still problematic.