The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office has identified the business that apparently sold gasoline contaminated kerosene to a White Mills homeowner, resulting in a house fire.
“The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office has determined that kerosene purchased from Three T Food Mart (at) 5629 Leitchfield Road (Hwy 62) in Cecilia could possibly be contaminated with gasoline,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.
Anyone who purchased kerosene from the business in the last 30 days is encouraged to return the product to the store for a full refund, police said.
“The kerosene is in the process of being tested at this time,” according to the sheriff’s office.
“Anyone who purchased kerosene in the last few days, please check to ensure it’s actually kerosene. The HCSO is investigating (an) incident involving a house fire that resulted when the owner purchased kerosene from a kerosene pump and it is actually believed to be gasoline.”
Of course, this “can be extremely dangerous,” police said, as kerosene is less volatile than gasoline. Kerosene’s flash point (the temperature at which it will generate a flammable vapor near its surface) is 101 degree or higher, whereas that of gasoline is as low as −40 degrees.
Gasoline is termed “flammable” because of its low flashpoint and high vapor density. Kerosene is termed “combustible” because its flashpoint is greater than 100 degrees.
Gasoline produces ignitable vapors that are three to four times heavier than air and can travel for great distances along the ground.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
