Crash Causes Gasoline Spill

Quick action by station staff, EFD minimizes damage

Humboldt Sentinel
12/30/08
By Sentinel Staff

EUREKA -- Local hazardous materials response personnel were deployed to a gas station today after a vehicle impact resulted in a fuel spill.

The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services responded to a report this afternoon of a car hitting a fuel dispensing island at a gas station on Highland Street. According to their release, the force and direction of the crash lifted the vehicle as it hit the dispensing island and broke the fuel product piping between the pump and shear valve. This caused the release of an estimated 100 gallons of gasoline onto station property and Highland Street.

No fuel reached Humboldt Bay, however, due to appropriate actions by gas station staff and Eureka Fire Department responders, according to Hazardous Materials Unit supervisor Melissa Martel. A minimal amount of fuel did reach the storm drain, which was met by immediate response and clean-up by a hazardous materials contractor.

Voter-approved Proposition 65 requires local communities to be notified of the release of toxic materials. For more information, call the Environmental Health Division of HHS at (707) 445-6215.