Mid-Cape Home Center Fuel Oil Leak ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richard J. Pauley , Jr. Joseph Cappello
Fire Chief Deputy Chief
For Immediate Release:
Mid-Cape Home Center Fuel Oil Leak
At approximately 8:06 PM, March 10, 2024, the Wellfleet Fire Department was dispatched to the Mid-Cape Home Center, 30 Commercial Street, Wellfleet, MA for a reported fuel oil tank leak into the parking lot and street.
First arriving fire personnel found a mixture of water and heating fuel leaking from an above ground tank onto the parking lot, street and storm water drainage system, A combination of Speedy Dry, absorbent pads and booms were deployed to capture the fuel oil. The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection, Wellfleet Police Department, Department of Public Works and Harbormaster's Department were also requested to the location, as well as a private a environmental clean up company and Weston & Sampson environmental company responded to this situation.
Wellfleet Fire Chief Rich Pauley, DPW Director Jay Norton and Harbor Master Will Sullivan coordinated with multiple entities to begin a cleanup of this spill. A 8,500 gallon recovery above ground tank which had been placed on the property about three weeks ago overflowed product onto the parking lot, street and storm drain system. At this time it is believed that the significant rainfall in the last few days and failure of the pump in the tank caused this release.
The Town's storm drain system worked well to contain the fuel/water mixture under Commercial Street. Several storm drains were examined and pumped out successfully on site at approximately midnight, before the tide, to ensure that the fuel/water mix did not migrate into the marsh and harbor. At this time, it is estimated that no more than fifteen (15) gallons of fuel were released into the storm drain system. In consultation with environmental experts, the DPW director, and others, the Fire Department believes that no fuel oil/water mix escaped the Town storm water drain system, into the marsh or harbor.
Fire and environmental response crews remained on scene for approximately five (5) hours to work to remediate and clean up the scene. The environmental response/clean up team,Wellfleet Fire Department, Wellfleet Health Department and Conservation Department will continue to monitor the situation daily.
Again, it is believed, with confidence, that there is no damage to the marsh area or harbor as a result of this situation.
Please direct any questions or concerns on this matter to Wellfleet Fire Chief Rich Pauley.
END OF MEDIA RELEASE
Contact:
Chief Rich Pauley, Wellfleet Fire Department
IO Lawrenc Road Wellfleet, MA 02667
(508)349-3754