Birmingham Mother Left Soaked in Diesel After Fuel Pump Incident at Asda
A Birmingham mother-of-two has described a terrifying ordeal after a fuel pump hose burst while she was filling her car at an Asda supermarket, leaving her drenched in diesel and her expensive clothing ruined. Alex Madden, aged 39, was at the Asda Minworth Supercentre in Sutton Coldfield when the incident occurred, which she claims has led to ongoing health problems and damage to her household appliances.
The Shocking Incident at the Fuel Station
Alex Madden was preparing to attend her niece's 16th birthday party when she stopped at the Asda petrol station to purchase ingredients for a birthday cake. After paying for £50 worth of diesel, she began filling her vehicle. Suddenly, the hose burst, spraying diesel forcefully into her face and body. "I withdrew the nozzle and the hose suddenly burst, forcefully spraying diesel directly into my face," Alex explained. "The hose became caught against my vehicle and I struggled to free it while fuel sprayed into my eyes, mouth, hair and all over my clothing."
In a desperate attempt to stop the flow, Alex had to pull her coat over her face and feel around to grab the nozzle. Even after releasing it, diesel continued to discharge heavily before she could secure it back into position, at which point the hose fell out completely. She pressed an emergency button at the pay-at-the-pump station, but no one came to assist her.
Immediate Aftermath and Health Concerns
Left soaking wet and reeking of diesel, Alex drove home immediately and got into the shower, throwing her £110 Nike duffer coat in as well. She called her mother-in-law for advice, who urged her to wash off the diesel quickly as it can sink into the skin. Her home smelled of diesel for about a week afterwards.
The incident has had serious consequences for Alex's health and property:
- Alex claims she developed a chest complaint and sought medical advice, suffering an ongoing cough that may be linked to inhaling diesel fumes.
- Her £600 outfit, including a £300 designer jumper worn specially for the party, was ruined. Her £160 New Balance trainers, a Christmas gift from her husband, remain outside her home due to diesel contamination.
- Her vehicle required valeting due to diesel contamination.
- Her washing machine now needs regular servicing after attempting to clean her diesel-soaked clothes.
Lack of Response and Safety Concerns
Despite reporting the incident to Asda, Alex says she has yet to receive a meaningful response from the company. She claims the pump remained in the same condition for at least six hours on the day of the incident, and her mother-in-law also experienced a similar incident at the same fuel station.
Alex expressed grave concerns about public safety: "This was a potentially hazardous equipment failure, combined with an apparent lack of emergency response. Had this involved an elderly person, someone with disabilities, or a parent with young children present, the consequences could have been far more serious. I am sharing this experience in the hope that it raises public awareness and prompts a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of customers using local petrol stations."
Asda's Response
In response to the incident, an Asda spokesperson stated: "If a customer raises an issue, our colleagues will always look into it and work to resolve it as quickly as possible. While we're not aware of any complaints about the pumps at our Minworth petrol station, we've asked for Alex's details so we can get in touch and better understand her concerns."
The incident highlights significant safety issues at fuel stations and the potential health risks associated with diesel exposure. Alex's experience serves as a warning to both consumers and retailers about the importance of proper equipment maintenance and emergency response protocols.
