Friday, June 19, 2015

55 Gallons of Stolen Diesel Fuel Spills Into Buellton Storm Drain in California


Red diesel fuel stolen from ag or industrial user

Photo Courtesy: Robert Perry
BUELLTON, Calif. - 
  A Friday morning fuel spill in a Buellton neighborhood Kendale Street and Odense Street is now linked to a theft investigation.
At about 8:21 a.m., Santa Barbara County Fire discovered a 55-gallon drum has been completely emptied with diesel leaking onto the roadway and into a storm drain.

A berm was set up to prevent further leakage into the storm drain.

There were a total of nine drums containing up to 440 gallons of red diesel fuel, all which were compromised one way or another, according to Capt. Dave Zaniboni with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The drums were sitting on top of an abandoned trailer left there overnight.

Kelly Hoover of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's office said the trailer came into Buelton from teh highway 101 Southbound.  Deputies believe the red disel fuel was stolen from an agriculture or industrial user.  Anyone missing fuel is asked to contact local law enforcement or call the Sheriff's Office at (805) 683-2724

Fire officials do not consider there to be any danger to the public.

Buellton Public Works, and Hazmat crews assisted with the cleanup. A vacuum was used to clean up remaining diesel.

after which, clean-up crews will remove the 55 gallons of fuel spilled into the storm drain.