Date: Fri 16-Aug-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

oil-spill-Hook-Ladder

Full Text:

with photos... Oil Spill Found On Edmond Road

The Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company responded to a call of a

strange odor and slippery road conditions on Edmond Road Tuesday morning. When

firemen arrived, they discovered an undetermined amount of diesel fuel spilled

over about an acre of land on and around the road directly behind the Shell

gas station.

Using absorbent pads and "Speedy Dry," the visible oil was quickly cleaned up,

according to Fire Marshal George Lockwood.

Mr Lockwood said he checked the nearby stream and a portion of the Pootatuck

River and found no evidence of oil seepage.

The fire marshal concluded a tractor trailer truck driver parked in the small

dirt lot along the road and ruptured the trucks diesel tank on a rock as he or

she pulled out. He said it was difficult to put a figure on the total amount

of oil spilled because the incident occurred near a drainage basin.

"We figure he lost everything right there," Mr Lockwood said.

Fire officials said if hadn't been for the heavy downpour Tuesday the oil

spill probably would have never been noticed, since the water strengthens the

odor and makes it easier to see the oil sheen.

Lately, Newtown's fire departments have been responding to more and more small

oil spills, according to Mr Lockwood, who estimates the town has been

responding to an average of 6-8 per month.

"They're mostly just small spills, but they do add up," he explained.