Fairfield firetruck drops fuel tank

ANDREW BROPHY abrophy@ctpost.com

Article Last Updated: 10/18/2007 11:20:17 PM EDT

FAIRFIELD — Firefighters are investigating why a fuel tank dropped from a firetruck and spilled about 50 gallons of fuel near Osborn Hill School.

Deputy Fire Chief Art Reid said the ladder truck from Fire Station 2 on Jennings Road was on its way to an emergency medical services call on Stillson Road Wednesday evening when straps that hold the tank underneath the truck gave way.

"We were able to mitigate it right away, and none of the product entered the storm drain system," Reid said.

Joseph Palmieri, president of Connecticut Tank Removal in Bridgeport, the Fire Department's contractor for fuel spills, said the tank fell from its straps and was dragged on Stillson Road before the firetruck reached its destination.

"When the plug wore off from driving, it started to leak," Palmieri said. "The spill was a couple of inches wide when the truck was moving; when it stopped, it built up."

Reid said the ladder truck's fuel tank was full because tanks on firetrucks always are full. He said the truck made it to the EMS call, and other firetrucks and Palmieri's firm were called to contain and clean up the spill.

Palmieri said 35 gallons was recovered in liquid form and an absorbent material got the rest. Reid said the spill was cleaned up pretty quickly and that the reason for the straps' failure hadn't been determined.

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