Photo by Skip Lawrence The Exxon fuel station on Md. 85 near I-270 that was the scene of a fatal fire early Wednesday is closed and the entrance fenced off Thursday. The destroyed pump has been removed and its pipes have been covered.

About 4 a.m. Wednesday, Ainsley R. Gordon Jr. stopped at the FSK Food and Fuel Exxon station at 5516 Buckeystown Pike. He had placed a plastic gasoline container outside his Nissan Pathfinder and was beginning to fill it when the fire began.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Joseph Zurolo said Gordon was not on a cell phone at the time of the fire.

Gordon suffered third-degree burns on his entire body. He died Wednesday at Washington Hospital Center.

The gas station remained closed Thursday.

Zurolo said he heard that many residents are now afraid to get gas.

"We don't want to scare the general public," he said. "It is safe for anyone to stop in and get fuel. We just want people to think a little bit."

People should not smoke when they are pumping gas or leave their car running, he said.

During cold, dry weather, static electricity could also cause a spark. To release static, Zurolo suggested drivers touch something to ground themselves such as a curb or a pole.

Authorities are waiting for autopsy results on Gordon.

Anyone who drove past or was at the station or saw anything unusual should call the Maryland Arson hot line at 1-800-492-7529 or the State Fire Marshal Metro Regional Office at 410-871-3050.