Gasoline Spill in Eastsound

Seaview St., Eastsound

At 2:49 p.m., on Friday, April 10, 2015, on Seaview Street, Eastsound, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the report of an overturned gasoline tanker truck.

Responders found the trailer of a gasoline fuel tanker truck overturned on its side with gasoline leaking from an access port. The tanker was reported to be filled with approximately 5200 gallons of gasoline. First responders initially assessed the scene and applied suppressing foam. Neighbors near the spill site were evacuated. Throughout the night and today, a coordinated response is in progress by Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, San Juan County Department of Emergency Management, State of Washington Department of Ecology, Eastsound Water and the National Response Corporation (N.R.C.), and Orcas Auto Tech/Orcas Towing.

Currently there is no immediate hazard to the community and evacuees have returned home.

Overnight it was determined:

• It is currently estimated that 200 to 300 gallons of gasoline was spilled
• The leak from the trailer was stopped and at approximately 5:45 a.m. today the last of the gasoline was removed from the leaking tanker, preventing further leakage
• Orcas Towing worked to maintain stability of the overturned trailer

Efforts throughout the day will be focused on:

• Assuring the safety of the community and responders
• Concentrating on the prevention of negative impacts to drinking water and the environment
• Removing the overturned trailer
• Ongoing soil & water testing
• Excavating contaminated soil

Orcas Island Fire & Rescue wishes to thank the more than 30 volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the night and continue their work today. A special thank you to Senator Ranker and to Councilman Hughes for their diligence and assistance in helping to mitigate the situation. Additionally ongoing thanks to San Juan County Department of Emergency Management, State of Washington Department of Ecology, Eastsound Water, NRC, and Orcas Auto Tech/Orcas Towing.

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