Florida officials warn contaminated gas could damage cars. Here’s where it was sold

Jacob Langston, Digital Journalist

ORLANDO, Fla. – A widespread fuel contamination could damage cars as Tropical Storm Idalia rolls towards the state, Florida officials said on Sunday.

According to a news release, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said they “identified a potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa.”

Fuel purchased after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at stations supplied by Citgo from the Port of Tampa has a strong likelihood of being contaminated, officials said.

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Citgo released the following list of affected gas stations, which include the highlighted stores from Central Florida:

UPDATE

Officials said after emergency inspections and testing, FDACS has determined the following six stations did not receive the contaminated fuel shipment

The following eight stations have been inspected, remediated, and cleared by FDACS for fuel sales:

These 17 stations remain under a stop sale order pending laboratory confirmation:

According to the release, contaminated gasoline and diesel have the potential of causing engine damage or affecting operability.

Impacted stations have been asked to stop selling gas until the contaminated fuel is replaced and tanks are cleaned.

If you purchased gas from affected stations after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, the Florida Department of Agriculture of Consumer services advises consumers that vehicles or generators may not properly function.

FDACS has opened up the consumer hotline to receive complaints from impacted consumers. If you believe you were sold contaminated gasoline, you can file a complaint by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA online at www.fdacs.gov.

Citgo also released a statement that read:

“CITGO has a contamination issue at its Tampa terminal that is affecting fuel sold at the following retail locations in the Tampa area. Please be advised that CITGO is working with the locations to remove contaminated product from these locations. In the meantime, thank you for patience and understanding as we work to return these locations to normal operations. If, however, you have purchased fuel from one of these locations on or after Aug. 26, and are concerned your vehicle may be impacted, you can initiate a claim through the CITGO Good Gas Guarantee program https://www.citgo.com/contact-us.”

FDACS said they are coordinating with the Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

“FDEM is coordinating with petroleum retailers, ports and all additional stakeholders to ensure that this disruption won’t be widespread and that residents can have seamless access to fuel. At the direction of the Governor, FDEM has already waived size, weight, and hour restrictions to get resources into the state as quickly and efficiently as possible,” the FDACS statement read in part.

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ORLANDO, Fla.