Fuel prices: Hawke’s Bay firefighters warn over risky petrol storage

Firefighters warn against storing petrol at home due to safety risks and potential fire hazards. Photo / Corey Fleming

With fuel prices ranging between $3.29 to $3.66 a litre across Hawke’s Bay, some residents are keeping petrol at home amid rising costs and uncertainty around supply.

The Government says there is seven weeks’ worth of fuel in New Zealand storage, but some petrol pumps in the Bay have temporarily run dry.

Diesel out of stock at Pak’nSave Hastings on Thursday. Photo / Rafaella Melo

Amid concerns about shortages, some people are stockpiling at home.

Firefighters are urging caution, warning the practice can create “unsafe environments”.

Hawke’s Bay Today looked into how the risks can be minimised.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand advised against storing large quantities of petrol.

“A fire involving petrol spreads rapidly and releases a lot of heat. Even a small spill can cause a fire that will spread incredibly quickly,” a spokesperson said.

Napier senior fire station officer Dan Nesbit said extra caution is needed when storing fuel.

“If you’ve got petrol stored in unsafe ways inside your house or in areas where they could potentially be set alight, that is going to cause unsafe environments,” he said.

Earlier this year, a fire that critically injured one person near Bay View was linked to a fuel vapour explosion.

The incident is still under investigation and while unrelated to unsafe fuel storage, Nesbit said it was a reminder of how risky it could be to have fuel at home.

“It’s a timely reminder that people may forget or don’t realise just how flammable, or how easily ignited, fuel vapours can be if stored incorrectly or not managed properly,” he said.

“You want to make sure they’re stored in appropriate containers, away from any ignition sources, and in the safest place in your house as possible. You wouldn’t want to store them in your living room.”

According to WorkSafe there are “basic safety principles” when storing fuel.

This includes keeping petrol away from naked flames, never smoking within 20 metres, and never refuelling a hot or running engine.

Petrol should only be stored in approved containers, which must be securely sealed, and filled to no more than 95% capacity to allow room for thermal expansion and should not exceed 50 litres without additional legal requirements.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman said fuel should not be stored near heating systems or open flames, and containers should be kept out of direct sunlight and never be left in enclosed spaces such as car boots.

When transferring petrol, it should be done outdoors using a funnel or spout, and any clothing exposed to fuel should be changed immediately.

The spokeswoman said even small sparks, including from electronic devices such as cellphones near petrol, can ignite petrol vapours, making careful handling essential.

Rafaella Melo has more than 10 years of experience as a journalist in Brazil. She has worn many hats, from radio and TV presenter and producer to magazine editor before joining the Hawke’s Bay Today team as a multimedia journalist.