Equipment Failure Causes Residential Fuel Spill

By Andrew Gorosko

On the cold afternoon of Friday, December 17, Sandy Hook firefighters learned of a residential heating fuel spill that occurred both inside and outside a residence on Cricket Trail in the Pootatuck Park section, overlooking Lake Zoar.

On responding to the call for help from the Stoorvogel residence at 33 Cricket Trail, firefighters found that approximately 150 gallons of #2 home heating fuel had escaped from a heating system, flowing into the residence’s living room and then draining down through the floor into the basement, said Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead. Some of the spilled fuel also made its way outdoors.

Chief Halstead that a float mechanism, which regulates the flow of heating fuel from a large above-ground outdoor tank to a small holding tank for a space heater in the house’s living room, had failed for some reason, resulting in a fuel pump channeling 150 gallons more fuel than was needed to the space heater, resulting in an overflow.

The overflow saturated carpeting in the room and then found its way into the house’s basement, he said.

The spilled fuel damaged flooring, sheetrock, and lighting fixtures in the house, as well as created an odor problem, the fire chief said.

Firefighters worked quickly to contain the spill, using absorbent materials to isolate the heating fuel, which is dyed a deep pink color so that it can be easily identified. Electrical power was shut down. Firefighters also contained the fuel that had found its way outdoors.

The spill caused “thousands of dollars” of damage to the premises, Chief Halstead said. There were no injuries in the incident.

Seventeen Sandy Hook firefighters, using several vehicles, responded to the problem.

The house where the spill occurred is located on a narrow dirt road on a curve on a steep hill, complicating access to the site. Although cold, weather conditions were dry.