A fifth person has now died as a result of a massive gas station explosion in West Virginia.

The blast at the Flat Top Little General Store in Ghent, W.Va. on Tuesday was felt up to a mile away. All that remains of the store is a pile of splintered debris, twisted metal and a sign showing the price of gasoline.

The blast was so severe that candy from the convenience store's shelves landed 300 yards away and authorities said the blast highlights a national problem.

Every year, there are an estimated 7,400 fires and explosions at gas stations across the U.S. Some of the leading causes are car problem and cigarettes, but one cause is static electricity.

An explosion in San Antonio was caused by static electricity.

A 33-year-old woman was killed in a separate explosion in Tulsa, which was caught on tape. That blaze was also caused by static electricity.

In 2005 there were more than 160 fires started by static electricity.

"I've had them putting on a windbreaker," said Bob Renkes, the vice president of the Petroleum Equipment Institute. "I've had them combing their hair, petting a poodle while refueling. All of these will generate static electricity."

"When you scuff your feet on the carpet, you can get up to 35,000 volts," said electricity expert Steve Fowler. "In a car situation, we have seen as high as 60,000 volts."

Many people ask whether cell phones cause fires at gas stations.

It has been determined that cell phones do not cause fires at service stations.

The reason stations ask not to use phones while refueling is because it takes your attention away from what you are supposed to be doing, said experts.

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