Vandals Spill Crude Oil in Forest County
More than 10,000 gallons of crude oil spilled out of three oil storage tanks in Forest County Thursday morning when vandals opened the valves on them, and then a fire started during the cleanup effort.
Catalyst Energy of Cranberry Township notified state officials and called in cleanup crews when they discovered the leaks. The state Department of Environmental Protection said much of the oil went into underground brine tanks.
But Friday, an excavator hit a rock while workers were digging a pit to collect the spilled oil. The friction caused a spark, which started a fire, according to DEP spokeswoman Fred Tarbell. The Marienville Fire Department used foam to suppress the fire, she said.
About 600 gallons of oil came from two storage tanks on the Watson Farm in Howe Township. More than 7,500 gallons came from a tank on the nearby Matson Farm. Tarbell said that tank could not hold all the oil and, once it filled, another 630 gallons spilled onto the ground. That’s where crews were digging when the fire started.
Catalyst Energy of Cranberry Township notified state officials and called in cleanup crews when they discovered the leaks. The state Department of Environmental Protection said much of the oil went into underground brine tanks.
But Friday, an excavator hit a rock while workers were digging a pit to collect the spilled oil. The friction caused a spark, which started a fire, according to DEP spokeswoman Fred Tarbell. The Marienville Fire Department used foam to suppress the fire, she said.
About 600 gallons of oil came from two storage tanks on the Watson Farm in Howe Township. More than 7,500 gallons came from a tank on the nearby Matson Farm. Tarbell said that tank could not hold all the oil and, once it filled, another 630 gallons spilled onto the ground. That’s where crews were digging when the fire started.
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