A gasoline spill occurred at approximately 10 a.m. Sept. 10 and was contained by multiple local agencies at the Rickers BP gas station at Cumberland Road and 116th Street.
The spill caused a nearby immediate care center to evacuate and temporarily closed down the Kroger grocery store in the same vicinity, according to a press release.
FFD officials alerted the public to the spill Monday morning and had the situation wrapped-up by the afternoon.
FFD, FPD, Fishers Public Works, Hamilton County Emergency Management and the Noblesville Fire Department’s Hazmat truck were on the scene to handle the situation, according a press release from Ron Lipps, deputy fire marshal and public information officer.
He said organizations in the area use each other for mutual aid and because this incident had potential for fire and environmental damage, outside agencies were valuable.
According to the release, “contractors were transferring gasoline from one underground tank to another when the receiving tank overflowed.”
When the tank overflowed, approximately 50 to 100 gallons of gasoline spilled, with at least 50 gallons dumping into a nearby storm drain.
FFD and Fishers Public Works worked together to trace the drain system and blocked an outlet to ensure the gasoline could not exit. The responders used fans to clear out the vapors.
Officials temporarily closed Cumberland Road before determining that the gasoline spill was flowing westbound through the nearby parking lot and not towards the street.
When spills like this occur, it’s the company’s responsibility to employ a professional contractor to handle the scene, as well, Lipps said in phone interview with Current in Fishers.
He said the gas station phoned in the emergency promptly, and the situation went as well as it could have.
The gasoline was prevented from entering Sand Creek, which could have cause complications as the stream eventually feeds Indianapolis water.
Lipps said 50 gallons isn’t a huge spill, but the containment process would have been more complicated.
“The key is quick notification for us so we get there in time,” Lipps said.