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Indiana Gas Station Dispenses Water

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 February 2007, 18:30 CST

HOBART, Ind. - Jeffrey Crane got something unexpected when he stopped to gas up his pickup truck - a tank full of water. Crane, who filled up at a Marathon Station in Hobart on Saturday, had his pickup towed to a repair shop when it failed to start Monday. He was surprised to discover what the problem was. "I have a tank full of water," Crane said.

Ahmad Mochtar, owner of the Marathon station, said a cracked seal on a mechanical probe allowed ground water to seep into the northwest Indiana station's gasoline supply late Saturday.

"It was an accident. It was beyond our control," Mochtar said.

Crane said he's upset because the station failed to issue a general warning about the problem fuel.

"They only told people who came back to the station. That's not being responsible," he said.

Mochtar said affected customers are being directed to the station's insurance company.

"We're not trying to give anybody a hard time," he said. "We've been in Hobart five years. We have competitive prices and a good relationship with our customers."

Mochtar said repair crews from three different companies have inspected the station's fuel dispensing system. No leaks were detected in any of the gasoline lines or underground tanks.

Crane is awaiting a payment from Mochtar's insurance company.

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Information from: Post-Tribune, http://www.post-trib.com

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

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