Drivers Beware: Bad Gas Reported in Chapin, South Carolina

Gas station contamination warning

Drivers Beware: Bad Gas Reported in Chapin, South Carolina

Chapin, S.C. is buzzing with chatter after issues popped up at a local gas station. It seems that a pesky problem with bad gasoline is causing some unexpected headaches for drivers. Reports came in from concerned motorists about breakdowns shortly after filling up at the Palmetto Roads Shell gas station, located at 2721 Wessinger Road.

The Warning Signs

One driver in particular, Nicole Dillon, shared her frustrating experience after she stopped to get unleaded gas at the station. She filled up her trusty Ford Bronco on Tuesday, only to find herself stranded just a day later. Dillon’s Bronco sputtered and stalled out on Old Lexington Highway, leaving her waiting for a tow truck for what felt like an eternity—two whole hours to be precise!

As the reports started rolling in, inspectors from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) were alerted to the situation. They quickly swung by the Shell station on Wednesday to investigate and drew a sample from pump #2. What they found was concerning: the fuel contained water, which isn’t exactly what you want pumping through your vehicle’s engine.

Stopping the Sales

In response to the alarming findings, SCDA officials issued a stop-sale order for regular gasoline at the Palmetto Roads Shell station. This means that, for now, drivers looking for regular fuel will need to take their business elsewhere until things get resolved.

A spokesperson from the SCDA explained the situation further, saying, “When the business believes the problem is fixed, they can contact us to resample and test.” They emphasized that the station will only be able to sell regular gasoline again once they can prove that the fuel issue has been cleared up and that the results confirm it’s good to go.

What’s Next for Affected Drivers?

Now, back to Dillon. After her vehicle experienced trouble thanks to the suspect gasoline, she was relieved to hear that Pope Transport Company, the fuel distributor involved, promised to reimburse her for any towing fees and potential damage to her car. That’s at least some good news amid the chaos.

As of now, it’s unclear what kind of penalties or fines may come down the pipeline for the gas station or the fuel manufacturer, which is Motiva Enterprises out of Houston, Texas. That’s something to keep our eyes on as more details emerge.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the Chapin area, you might want to fill up somewhere else for the time being. Nobody wants their car to end up like Dillon’s! Stay tuned for updates from the SCDA as they continue to investigate and work on resolving the issue. Who knew gas could cause such a ruckus? Keep your fingers crossed that this gets sorted out soon!

Feel more informed and connected with ongoing updates by staying tuned to local sources, but for now, be sure to steer clear of that particular Shell gas station!