Gas hoarding eyed as cause of Dartmouth apartment firehttp://www.southcoasttoda...=/20080606/NEWS/806060343DARTMOUTH — A couple tried to beat the high cost of gasoline by hoarding it in their apartment, but the plan backfired when fumes ignited, causing a fire that displaced residents from eight units in the complex, officials said.
Wednesday's blaze at Ledgewood Commons, fueled by the gas stored in a utility closet, was quickly extinguished by firefighters. However, the incident had the potential for disaster.
"If it had not been for the sprinklers, this building would have probably burnt to the ground," said Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman for state Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.
A husband and wife living in a second-floor unit at the North Dartmouth apartment complex off Faunce Corner Road kept an estimated 45 gallons in nine plastic jugs, Dartmouth's District 3 Fire Chief Richard Arruda said.
The jugs were covered by cloth rags and stacked in a hallway closet that housed the air conditioning system, Chief Arruda said.
An investigation suggested they were hoarding the gas in response to skyrocketing prices, according to Ms. Mieth and Chief Arruda.
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