Maryland Fire Marshal speaks out after reports of unsafe handling of gasoline during shortage
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and last updated 2021-05-13 11:47:53-04
BALTIMORE â The Colonial Pipeline cyberattack has caused widespread gas shortages along the southeastern United States and parts of the East Coast including Maryland.
It s caused many gas stations throughout the state to run out of fuel, forcing them to close.
Those still open are experiencing higher gas prices and long lines at the pumps, prompting residents to stock up where they can.
Some have begun carrying and storing gasoline in an unsafe manner, prompting the Maryland State Fire Marshal to speak out.
CECIL COUNTY - Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal officials are offering safety tips on containing and transporting gasoline, in the wake of last week s cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline that has caused fuel shortages in parts of the East Coast, including some places in Maryland.
The agency issued the statewide caution on Thursday morning, out of concern that residents might start stocking up on gasoline - unsafely - as the fuel supply reportedly lessens and gasoline prices climb.
The cyberattack on May 7 forced Colonial Pipeline officials to shut down the pipeline operation for several days. Consisting of 5,500 miles of underground pipe in the United States, the Colonial Pipeline transports, per day, 2.5 million barrels of gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined products - translating to about 45 percent of fuel for the East Coast.
May 1, 2021
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