News Staff
Published Oct 31, 2017 at 8:00 am (Updated Oct 31, 2017 at 6:12 am)

Oil clean-up: Kascia White and Marvin Jones from the Bermuda Aquarium & Zoo clean up pollution
from a gas spill at the nearby Rubis service station in Flatts. (Photograph Akil Simmons)

A fuel spill at the Rubis gas station in Flatts Village poses a negligible risk to the environment, according to experts.

Geoff Smith, environmental engineer at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, told The Royal Gazette that much of the gasoline that spilt on to the road and into the sea would have evaporated.

The exact amount of gasoline that escaped while a supply truck filled the fuel storage tank has not been confirmed, although it is believed to be only about ten gallons.

“There are always concerns with any fuel getting into the water,” Dr Smith said. “Gasoline is a very volatile liquid so the primary concern was health and public safety and then the environment.

“Absorbent pads and booms were deployed into the water by the gas station as well as by BAMZ staff at the T-dock across from the aquarium where fuel was also seen.

Fuel spill at Rubis in Flatts Village. Photograph by Akil Simmons

“In this case there is a negligible risk to the environment because of the volume of the spill but also the fact it was gasoline that escaped and not a heavy fuel oil or diesel which can stick to things. Gasoline evaporates extremely quickly.”

The fuel spill happened just before 9.30am yesterday. The driver of the Rubis truck needed hospital treatment for minor burns he suffered to his eyes and body.

Staff from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were on site within 20 minutes to help with the clean up.

Police, fire and Rubis personnel also attended.

“Much of the spill, provisionally estimated at less than ten to 20 gallons, would have evaporated,” the spokeswoman said.

“Minimal patches of sheen” were said to remain on the surface of the water.

Staff from local businesses also leant a hand as police directed motorists away from the area. Management at the Tool Shed Rentals put out cones to help with traffic calming measures and also provided a hose to help wash down the area.

One manager, who asked not to be named, said: “There was an overwhelming smell of gasoline, and what appeared to be a stream running down the road at one point.

“The driver of the truck was drenched in gasoline and being treated at the scene and obviously the major concern of everyone was the gasoline catching fire.

“Once the police closed down the area, the road just went ghost while all the different authorities did their work.”

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service estimated that ten gallons of fuel had been spilt from the Rubis fuel supply truck.

People were evacuated from the immediate area and traffic was diverted as the fire service used liquid-absorbing material to deal with the spillage. The road was reopened again at 1pm.

At noon yesterday Graham Redford, managing director at Rubis, said: “The driver was transported to hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries consistent with fuel contact.

“He has been seen by the ER Department and is expected to be released shortly.”