‘Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline’, US officials urge concerned consumers

Pete Buttigieg issued a warning on Wednesday at the White House, urging Americans not to fill plastic bags with gasoline amid an ongoing fuel shortage caused by a cyber attack that has crippled the pipeline.

“I will say that this is a time to be sensible and to be safe, of course we understand the concern in areas where people are encountering temporary supply disruptions, but hoarding does not make things better,” said Mr Buttigieg.

“And under no circumstances should gasoline ever be put into anything but a vehicle directly or an approved container, and that of course remains true no matter what else is going on,” he added.

The transport secretary’s warning came as the federal agency responsible for consumer safety issued the same warning to motorists earlier on Wednesday.