Urgent Safety Alert: Gasoline-Contaminated Kerosene Sparks House Fire in Gifu

Authorities are urging extreme caution after kerosene sold at the 'Cygnus Sekiyu Seino' gas station in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, between January 29 and February 13, may have been contaminated with gasoline. This issue is believed to be connected to a house fire that occurred in Akasaka-cho, Ogaki City, on February 9, which completely destroyed a residence. Gasoline was confirmed to be present in the kerosene sampled from the fan heater at the origin of the blaze.

Although kerosene and gasoline appear similar, their volatility and flash points differ significantly. Using contaminated kerosene in heating appliances can lead to extremely dangerous situations, including abnormal combustion and explosive fires. Indeed, the recent house fire is attributed to gasoline-contaminated kerosene causing the fan heater to erupt in flames.

The Ogaki City Fire Department and other relevant organizations are strongly warning against using any kerosene purchased from 'Cygnus Sekiyu Seino' during the aforementioned period. If you have already purchased and stored such kerosene, cease use immediately and either dispose of it safely and appropriately, or contact the retailer or your nearest fire station. This poses a serious risk to life, and affected residents are urged to promptly confirm and take action.

The context

In Japan, kerosene (灯油, tōyu) is a very common fuel for household heating, especially in colder regions and older homes. Kerosene fan heaters (ファンヒーター, fan hītā) are widely used as a primary heating source. The risk of gasoline contamination is particularly serious because gasoline (ガソリン, gasorin) and kerosene are both petroleum products often sold at the same gas stations and can easily be mistaken for one another, especially during delivery or when refilling storage tanks. Gasoline is significantly more volatile and has a much lower flash point than kerosene, meaning it ignites far more easily and burns much hotter and more explosively. Using gasoline instead of kerosene in a device designed for kerosene can lead to catastrophic failure, intense fires, and explosions, as tragically demonstrated by incidents like this. Public safety campaigns in Japan frequently warn against such fuel mix-ups, highlighting the critical importance of proper labeling and careful handling to prevent potentially fatal accidents.