Large Gasoline Spill at Navy Base

 
By Chief Jonathan Riffe
June 21, 2007
 

On Thursday June 21, 2007 at 1130 hours, approximately 15 minutes after clearing the shed fire, Chief 6 (Riffe) and Engine 61 (Lt Thrasher) were alerted to Building 76 on the Naval Reseach Lab (NRL) for the gasoline leak. Units arrived on location and found a 1,000 gallon above-ground gasoline tank that was improperly fueled. As a result, the outer tank seams ruptured leaking out the fuel that was just loaded (139 gallons). Contractors on site utilized several loads of sand to place over the gasoline to minimize fumes. Rescue 1 stood-by with a charged hand-line. Emergency Management was notified along with several contractors from DC NRL, the Annapolis Fire Inspector, and Annapolis Battalion Chief 46. Within minutes, the assignment was held to Rescue 1, Engine 61, Engine 22, and Tower 2. Command: Chief 6, Operations: Safety Officer 1 (Gibson).

Pictures courtesy of Company 1.