Officials are warning against the dangers of hoarding fuel as gas prices jump to record highs.

The Westport Fire Department received a complaint of people filling containers with gasoline that are not made for storing.

Fire department officials posted signs that warn about the types of containers not to use to store fuel because it can be extremely dangerous.

The fire marshal tells News 12 containers that can be used are either metal or plastic with a spring load and tight seal. He warns that if not stored properly, it can be explosive.

"People underestimate the explosive power of gasoline," says Fire Marshal Nathanial Gibbons. "It's very volatile and unless you are very careful about how you handle it, it's easy to get yourself jammed up. If you put gasoline in a basement that's the worst possible place to put it. If you put it in your living quarters, really bad idea. Those fumes, as tight as they are, they do leak sometimes and in an explosive environment it could blow your house up and burn you very badly."

The fire department advises all gas stations to call police if they see someone collecting gas in an unapproved container.