An attempt to steal fuel from an unattended box truck was unsuccessful.
This shocking incident was captured on surveillance camera footage. A man can be seen trying to take fuel out of the tank next to his pickup, which he had parked in Salt Lake City.
According to authorities, the suspect was working with a drill to reach the gas tank. During this time, a spark ignited flammable liquid.
Most likely, spontaneous combustion is caused by static electricity or sparks from friction between the drill bit and the tank.
Summit Fire and Protection found the truck parked in front of it. The second thief entered and stole its catalytic convert.
Travis Mills Branch Manager stated, “Some people try and take the easy route out of everything.” He believed that the thieves were motivated by current gasoline prices at $5/gallon.
Mills stated that the man tried siphoning gas from it but couldn’t get the siphon working. He decided to drill the tank and then he lit the match.
One man caught trying to take gas out of a box truck. Then he set himself ablaze.
The spark of static electricity could have been what set the fire alarm.
To put out the flames, he was seen crawling across concrete on a parking area.
In an effort to extinguish the flames from his clothing, the man was seen rolling around on the ground.
He didn’t seem to have the time to take his shirt off, due to the panic.
The man rolled across concrete and finally got up to remove his burned shirt.
He had been accompanied by his accomplice who sat in the pickup while he waited.
Mills told KSL that he fled because there was more gas than one gallon in the tank. This would have made it a bomb.
“It’s sad, because times can be tough for many people. But it’s not worth $5 that he could have saved for his injury.
“Unfortunately, due to the high gas prices throughout the country, and in our valley, we have seen an increase in theft,” said Tony Allred, Salt Lake City Fire Marshal.
Allred said that drilling into a tank can be extremely hazardous for anyone stealing gas at a low return.
This man’s desperate attempt to get a tiny amount of gas showed how stressed Americans feel due to the sudden rise in gas prices over the past few months.
After hitting an all-time high on Tuesday, the average price is now at $5.01 as of Thursday morning.
The gas prices continue to climb sharply from their April 2020 low of $1.77
AAA reports that the national average gas price rose by more than $5.00 last weekend.
After hitting an all-time high on Tuesday, the average price now stands at $5.01 (as of Thursday morning).
California is the most expensive for gas, with some parts costing as high as $7.00 per gallon. Georgia, however, has the lowest at $4.49 per regular gallon.
Biden asked oil companies to explain Wednesday the “disconnect” between oil prices and what they charge Americans for their products.
President Lamarck lamented that since January 1, gasoline prices have risen more than $1.70 per gallons.
He continued, “Vladimir Putin’s aggression war and the bilateral and global efforts to counter it has disrupted oil supply and driven up prices.” “But, the steep rise in gasoline prices does not reflect rising oil prices. It is caused by an unusual disconnect between oil price and gas price.
President Joe Biden sent a letter to seven of the biggest oil companies demanding action to quell surging gas prices – including an emergency meeting and explanation for whether there has been a loss in oil refining capacity by these companies
Biden explained in his letter, ‘The price of crude oil at that time was $120/barrel. In March 2005, gasoline prices at the pumps were $4.25/gallon. Gas prices today are 75% higher than diesel, with prices at 90 cents.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February has been blamed by the administration and big oil companies greedy for causing an increase in oil prices.
On Wednesday, he urged the heads of seven oil companies to attend an “emergency meeting” with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm via the National Petroleum Council in order to discuss ways to reduce costs. They were also accused of not increasing their production to maintain higher prices.
Biden requested information in his letter asking for details on whether these oil refiners have experienced a reduction in their capacity, which could explain some of the price rises.
Biden blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine, and also blamed the price rise on gas. The speech was referred to as ‘Putin’s price increase’ by the administration.
Biden took a direct aim at ExxonMobil and stated that ExxonMobil made more than God in the last year. Photo: Exxon signs at gas stations in Oakland, California show the $6.95 price for regular gasoline.
A handful of states, like New York, Maryland and Georgia, have already implemented a suspension on gas tax – and the administration has started more seriously looking at a federal gas tax holiday.
A congressional vote would be required, however, the president could make a direct request for tax relief to Americans who cannot afford to buy a gas tank.
Some believe Biden simply calling out to other states to impose gas tax holidays in their respective states would be a smart move for the White House, to relieve American’s financial pressure.
Biden has already used the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. They had no effect on gasoline prices.
As economic issues dominate the 2022 midterms, and Democrats’ political outlook is becoming increasingly dire, the rising gas prices contribute to four-decade high inflation.