NORWOOD (CBS) — Hundreds of cars lined up for hours overnight waiting for the chance to get a free tank of gasoline in Norwood.
Patrick Haines said he was the first person in line at 9:30 p.m. Thursday for the free gas giveaway that started just before 7 a.m. Friday at Rojo’s Car Wash on Route 1.
“I just decided to stick it out because I wanted to make sure I got the gas,” Haines said. “I can’t stress it enough, like it’s such a generosity.”
Car magnate Ernie Boch Jr. paid for it, saying on social media that up to 7,000 gallons would be given away, first come, first served.
“I started thinking, ‘What could we do? What could I do? How could we do this? And then April Fuel’s Day,’” Boch Jr. told WBZ-TV.
And plenty of other drivers got in on the giveaway.
“I had the day off so I figured, why not? Plus, I was almost on empty anyways,” said another driver.
“I figured I’m going to be home playing on my phone. I can sit in my car and play on my phone and get some gas,” Sheila Rubino of Braintree told WBZ.
The line was shut down just after 8 a.m.
Our officers worked closely with staff from @ErnieBochJr & RoJo’s this morning. Free gas is now gone. pic.twitter.com/eIdOgWE8zj
— Chief Brooks (@ChiefBrooksNPD) April 1, 2022
Boch Jr. said he just wanted to give some relief to drivers in his hometown.
The line for free gas at Rojo’s Car Wash on Route 1 in Norwood, April 1, 2022. (WBZ-TV)
“Seven thousand gallons, depending on the octane, it’s about $30,000, so that’s a lot of gas and should do somewhere around 400 people, so it’ll be fine,” he said.
Boch Jr. said he will consider doing another free gas giveaway sometime in the future.
Gas at Rojo’s was $4.15 a gallon at their 12 pumps before the giveaway.
“It’s been a hard year for a lot of families. And for him to do this is more than gracious,” said Melissa Lacharite of Dedham.
Gas was free for a few hours at Rojo’s Car Wash on Route 1 in Norwood, April 1, 2022. (WBZ-TV)
Norwood Police Chief Bill Brooks told WBZ the department met with Boch Jr.’s team Wednesday about handling the event.
Gas prices are averaging $4.21 per gallon in Massachusetts as of Friday, and AAA said this week that “elevated prices will likely be the norm” through Spring.