Kerosene sold at Alto Kangaroo stores possibly volatile

2/06/2011

Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is warning consumers who purchased kerosene on or after Jan. 18 from several Kangaroo locations throughout north Georgia not to use the products in their kerosene heaters or lamps.

On Jan. 25, inspectors from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Fuel & Measures Division discovered contaminated kerosene at Kangaroo #3315 located at 615 East Spring St., Monroe, during a routine inspection.

The pump was locked at the Monroe location and, as an immediate precaution, pumps were locked at all other stores who received fuel from the same carrier. After sampling from those other pumps was completed on Jan. 27, seven additional Kangaroo locations, including one in Alto, have been found with contaminated kerosene. Kerosene sold at these stores is possibly volatile and should not be used:

•2640 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville .
•3951 State Hwy. 365, Alto.
•North Main St., Cleveland.
•78 South Main St., Cleveland.
•634 Christmas Ave., Bethlehem.
•1334 Atlanta Hwy. NW, Auburn.
•18 Hwy. 72 East, Comer.

Contaminated kerosene has the potential to cause an explosion or fire if used in home heaters or lamps. Anyone who purchased kerosene at any of these locations on or after Jan. 18 should not use the kerosene and should return it for reimbursement.

The pumps will remain locked at all eight locations until the tank and lines have been cleaned and new shipments have been tested and approved by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.