Firefighters saved Wakarusa water supply after gas leak at a BP station

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Updated: 11:56 PM Jan 26, 2012 Firefighters saved Wakarusa water supply after gas leak at a BP station Wakarusa, Ind. A fuel spill threatened the water supply in Wakarusa after a driver had some trouble at the pump. Posted: 9:57 PM Jan 26, 2012 Email Address: newscenter16@wndu.com

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A fuel spill threatened the water supply in Wakarusa after a driver had some trouble at the pump.

Firefighters were called to the BP on State Road 19 just after 5 p.m. Thursday night. They say 24 gallons of diesel fuel went down the drain and into a nearby creek.

Crews used large booms to collect all the fuel before it could do any serious damage.

Brian Maurer, Fire Chief, Wakarusa, explains why they wanted to take care of it so quickly, "We wanted to make sure we catch it before it mixes with any groundwater or hits any of the ground itself."

Asst. Bat Chief Dave Cushwa, Elkhart Fire Dept, describes the harm it could cause if leaked, “Besides the life safety impact of just having fuel on the ground, it's a flammable hazard at the gas station. We also deal with the environmental impact between ground water and soil contamination."

The Fire Department says the driver of the vehicle will have to pay for the clean-up costs, along with the cost of the 24 gallons of fuel.

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