PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the second time this year, several drivers who stopped at the Conoco gas station on the 1900 block of Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Camden found themselves in a bit of car trouble, officials said.
Camden County police shut down the station on Sunday after about 15 cars filled up with what appeared to be watery gasoline.
On Jan. 10, dozens of cars that had filled up at the same station broke down shortly after. Severe flooding across the region had contaminated the station’s fuel supply with floodwater.
“When there is water in fuel, what happens is it strips the octane right out of the fuel. ... So without that, there's no movement," said Judith Lugo, with the city’s Weights & Measures division.
Officials found the fuel was contaminated with 58% water. The station was fined $25,000 and ordered to reimburse all drivers for vehicle damage and related repairs.
Lugo says the damage to some vehicles in January was so bad that rather than pay for repairs, the gas station bought the cars.
The gas station owner did not respond to calls for comment.
Test results are not complete, but officials suspect water got into the gas lines again. The city is investigating.
Anyone experiencing problems after stopping at the Conoco should contact the owner. If they have further problems, contact Lugo at julugo@ci.camden.nj.