May 15, 1986

Gas leaks from pump

       Crews from Spill Recovery of Indiana today should finish cleaning up a gasoline spill at State Road 135 and Smith Valley Road in White River Township.  The Indianapolis based firm was called to the spill site Wednesday after about 139 gallons of unleaded gasoline spilled from a pump at the Shell Service Station at State Road 135 and Smith Valley Road.

         Pat McDaniel, White River Township assistant fire chief, said the gasoline leaked from the pump shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday when someone in a car hit the pump, then reportedly left the scene.  McDaniel said the gasoline flowed westward onto unpaved ground, then flowed north and east into a ditch, making a horseshoe shape around the home of Flossie McMurray in the 600 block of South State Road 135.

         White River firefighters put foam on the gasoline in an attempt to neutralize it and keep it from igniting.  Firefighters could not flush the gasoline with water because it had contaminated the ground, McDaniel said.  “We just tried to keep the gasoline confined,” McDaniel said.  McMurray was asked to leave her home and her utilities were shut off to prevent an explosion, McDaniel said.  McMurray stayed at a neighbor’s house until 4 p.m. when she was told she could return to her home.

         White River Fire Department members blocked the station’s Smith Valley entrance.  Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department members assisted the White River department in the accident, and officials from the State Board of Health were called to investigate.  McDaniel said Spill Recovery used bags filled with a white substance to absorb the gasoline.  Digging crews removed the contaminated soil.  White River firefighters left the area about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.
 
 

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