Emergency After Petrol Leaks

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 1

Emergency After Petrol Leaks

(New Zealand Prese Association)

NAPIER August 21.

For the second time in just over five years the Ahuriri area of Napier was declared in a state of emergency today when 200,000 gallons of petrol leaked from a Caltex Oil (N.Z.), Ltd., storage tank.

A general alert was sounded within minutes of the discovery of the leak at 7 a.m. today and police, firemen and the St John Ambulance Brigade were called out.

Road blocks prevented traffic moving into the danger area.

In March, 1961, about 56.000 gallons escaped from a tank in the same depot. On that occasion also a full-scale alert was called and the area was cordoned off while men cleared away the spillage. Mr W. Leary, the company’s installation manager, arrived in Napier this evening to inspect the damaged tank. The cause of the leakage was not known tonight. Emergency precautions were taken by the Napier deputy chief fire officer, Mr I. Drieberg. when the spillage was reported. The petrol had covered the compound floor. 1

Police and traffic officers cordoned off an area half a mile round the compound, and diverted traffic from the danger zone. Thirty-eight firemen were stationed in the danger zone or placed on alert at the Napier fire station. Civil defence and Napier City Council officers were also present. Mr Drieberg said foam equipment would remain in the compound as a precautionary measure until the petrol had been pumped out.

While employees of the oil company pumped the spilled petrol back into a holding tank at the depot three fire engines stood by. All available supplies of foam were sent to the depot in case of fire. Two hours and a half after the discovery of the leak work began on pumping the escaped petrol back into the storage tank. The task was not expected to be completed until after midnight.