Lawnmower blamed for fire at East Texas petroleum company

MINEOLA, Texas — A lawnmower and spilled fuel are to blame for a fire that devastated an East Texas petroleum company, KLTV.com reported.

Hazmat crews were called Tuesday to Pearce Petroleum Products in Mineoloa, Texas, for cleanup and removal of contaminated soil.

A worker was using ether to help start a riding lawnmower Sunday night when the engine backfired and caught fire.

The tank on a fuel delivery truck also ruptured and spilled, according to the article.

It took firefighters about an hour to control the blaze, which destroyed much of the facility.