Vehicles Damaged After NH Gas Station Failure

DOVER, N.H. (CBS) - "This is the vehicle. I was on my way to Nashua for a meeting," said John Boyle, showing WBZ reporter Chantee Lans his 2011 silver pick-up truck.

Pulling into the Irving Circle K gas station on Knox Marsh Road is part of John's weekly routine. He was low on gas Friday and decided to fill up.

Afterwards, he kept his truck running while he went inside to use the bathroom. He said when he returned his truck started to run differently.

"It was sputtering a little bit. I thought maybe it's because it was a hot day, maybe the air conditioning needs to be shut off. I'm working it too hard. As I pulled away, my engine light started to flash."

He said he made it a quarter of a mile away before his pick-up truck broke down.

"I pulled over, opened the gas cap, smelled it. Thought it might've smelled like diesel fuel," he said. A local mechanic said water somehow mixed in with his gas. John's vehicle was just one of about 10 that also broke down.

Circle K released a statement to WBZ which states: "The investigation showed a component of an underground fuel tank that had failed, we are in the process of fixing the tank now. We are in contact with all of the customers who were involved and are in the process of taking care of their needs."

Auto repair experts said fixing this type of damage, depending on the type of car, could run anywhere between several hundred to several thousand dollars.

"We typically try to get all of the water out. We can operate the fuel pump or remove the tank and empty the tank and dispose of the water and gasoline mix," said Dupont's Service Center Owner Dave Dupont.

Mechanics at his shop repaired three of the vehicles.

John says he spent more than $300 on a rental car and to fix his truck at Dover Paint and Varnish Auto Shop.

Despite the hassle, John said he returned to that same gas station on Monday to continue using the pumps.

"Things happen. It puts it all in perspective, you know. It could be worst."