North Haven Fire Responds to Truck Rollover, Fuel Oil Leak

The following is a press release from the North Haven Fire Department.

Early this morning the North Haven Fire Dept responded to the report of a fuel truck rollover on Defco Park Rd.

The following units were dispatched and responded to the scene: E-1, T-1, E-5, E-7 as well as Car 30.

Upon arrival the fuel truck was found to be on its side and the driver had self extricated. It was determined that the fuel truck was carrying approximately 2500 gallons of fuel that was actively leaking with the runoff involving a storm drain.

Upon further investigation the fire department found the damage to the fuel tank to be so severe that stopping the leak would not be possible. The fire department therefore prevented further runoff into the storm drain and notified CT DEEP of the incident.

Once the fuel truck was stabilized and remaining fuel was contained, the focus for the fire department shifted to environmental conservation. Several area waterways were assessed for the presence of fuel oil and with the quick response of the Town Engineer Jonathan Bodwell, waterway maps and storm drain maps were studied to determine where the fuel oil would travel to.

A culvert was located in a wooded area and containment booms were deployed to collect any fuel within the waterway. The DEEP and resources from the New Haven Regional Special Hazards Team established an area to collect any fuel within the waterway prior to it entering the Quinnipiac River.

Rt 5 remains closed at this time while the fuel truck is removed from the scene. Area businesses and residences may experience the presence of fuel odor in the air through the morning, however an environmental contractor and DEEP will remain on scene throughout the day ensuring the fuel is cleaned thoroughly.