Connell v. State Oil Co.

The defendant maintained on its premises a pit, over which automobiles were run for service and repair work. In the course of the work, as the defendant had notice, more or less gasoline was spilled into the pit. For the purpose of freeing the pit of fluid, principally water, the defendant had a sump pump operated by an electric motor. The pumping mechanism rested in the sump hole, and the motor was about two feet above the floor of the pit. The whole contrivance was longer than the depth of the pit. It did not stand straight, but “laid in different positions . . . against the wall, hanging…