At approximately 9:20pm, dispatch advised FD-1 of a report of a heavy odor of fuel in the area of Kola Road, near two of the Fuel Loading Terminals. CFD Units were dispatched and reported to the area for further assignments from FD-1.
Responding units were FD-1, FD-2, Squad-1, Engine-2, Engine-9, Squad-15 & Haz-Mat-2.
Upon arrival FD-1 confirmed the unusually strong petroleum odor in the area, and Kola Road was ordered immediately blocked to any through traffic for safety and the fuel terminals were shutdown.
No evacuation was required in the immediate area. Representatives from adjacent facilities were notified and responded to their locations as per our response plan. Upon their arrival, each facility was walked to attempt to determine a location/cause of the fuel release. No release was found in any of the facilities.
Through continued investigation and recon it was found that the fuel release was in fact not inside a facility but directly across Kola Road, along side the roadbed. It was determined that a fuel transport truck driver had apparently intentionally dumped fuel onto the shoulder of the road, which then allowed it to flow into a water filled ditch. CFD Haz-Mat crews immediately began initial isolation and cleanup, using absorbent booms and pads preventing the fuel from reaching a nearby creek, and ultimately the Okatoma River. It is estimated that anywhere from 50 to 150 gallons of fuel were dumped/released.
The identity of the driver and truck/trailer company has not yet been determined at this time, but we are confident as the investigation continues that they will be positively identified and held fully responsible for the release and subsequent cleanup & mitigation.
CFD Crews will remain on scene into the night until a MDEQ assigned environmental cleanup contractor arrives to complete further cleanup and remediation work.
Kola Road is now back open to normal traffic, but we ask that you still please proceed with caution as emergency & cleanup crews are still working in the area, and will be into the morning.
Original source can be found here.
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