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More than 100 gallons of gasoline flood intersection in Weymouth

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 28, 2009 10:39 AM

By Vivian Nereim, Globe Correspondent

WEYMOUTH -- More than 100 gallons of gasoline spilled onto Main and Winter streets after a driver ran over and severed a hose at a Gulf gas station around 8:45 this morning, according to fire officials.

The Weymouth Fire Department and Clean Harbors, an environmental services contractor, are cleaning up the spill and the surrounding storm drains.

Deputy Fire Chief Joe Davis said the Fire Department has found no flammable vapors left, and does not expect a fire or explosion, but it is prepared in the event that one happens. The Department of Environmental Protection has also been called to the scene.

"This is an extremely serious situation," said Davis.

The intersection was closed for a while but is now partially open for traffic.

The hose was attached to a J.P. Noonan delivery truck that was transporting gasoline. A gray Nissan severed the hose and broke its nozzle off, opening a 4-inch hole in the ground and releasing 117 gallons of gasoline.

"There's quite a bit of product in that hole," said Davis.

The gasoline is being cleaned up using a chemical absorbent called Speedy Dry, said Daniel McCormack, a chemical inspector for the Health Department. The sandy substance absorbs gasoline and oil but not water. He said Clean Harbors has also filled catch basins around the gas station with soil, which will be disposed of according to environmental regulations as needed.

Mark Jablonski, a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection engineer, said the environmental impact of the spill is probably minimal, because most of the leakage was on the asphalt surface.

Much of the gasoline that made it into a nearby storm drain was absorbed by large stuffed "socks" called booms, possibly left over from a old spill, he said. The Public Works Department has shut down a nearby water treatment plant as a precaution.

Globe correspondent Benjamin Paulin contributed to this report.