BREAKING NEWS: Substance Released at Cumberland Farms

Four cars and the exterior of the on 16 Upton St. are covered with a white substance after the extinguishing system for the gasoline pumps deployed unexpectedly this morning.

Four people were at the pumps, and one person was pumping gas when the incident happened at 11:33 a.m., Assistant Fire Chief Steve Charest said.

The system is used to extinguish fires at the pumps. Charest did not know what caused the system to be triggered.

Chris Methot of Grafton was in his vehicle at the pumps when he heard a large noise and “stuff started coming down.’’ 

“I couldn’t breathe and I had to breathe,’’ he said.

The substance covering his car blocked his view. He thought that a fire might have broken out and triggered the substance.

He backed his car away from the pumps, saw there was no fire and dashed out of the vehicle.

No one was injured in the incident, but Charest requested an ambulance on scene to check everyone out. The substance was irritating to breathe and visitors were asked to wear masks.

Charest will not allow the cars to be moved from the scene until they are cleaned.  Cumberland Farms is responsible for the clean-up of the site, Charest said. 

The Board of Health has been called to check whether any food inside the store has been affected, Charest said.

Employees at the store referred questions to corporate headquarters.