Transformer struck by truck catches fire, leaks mineral oil
Approximately 247 gallons of oil from a damaged Dominion Energy transformer was released into the concrete channelized portion of Little Hunting Creek.
USA: Approximately 247 gallons (935 liters) of oil from a damaged Dominion Energy transformer was released into the concrete channelized portion of Little Hunting Creek in Fairfax County, Virginia. A Dominion Energy official says cleanup of a mineral oil spill near the creek has been completed on Saturday, December 7th.
Power crews and fire officials have been scrambling to prevent the oil from spreading down Little Hunting Creek ever since Friday, when the oil started leaking from a transformer that had caught fire behind a supermarket after it was struck by a box truck.
Dominion Energy spokeswoman Peggy Fox said a transformer box behind a supermarket on Richmond Highway was damaged when one of the supermarket’s box trucks backed into the unit and drove off, initially without reporting it. Oil began to leak from the transformer.
Serviceman responding to reports of a power outage found the damaged transformer had been knocked off the concrete pad it usually sat on. While the technician was on site, the transformer failed and set the patch of oil on fire.
An emergency dispatch from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded to the fire and quickly got the fire under control, then worked with crews from Dominion to contain the spilled oil.
Dominion estimates that around 247 gallons of oil spilled into a nearby storm drain, which feeds into a concrete-lined stream channel in Little Hunting Creek.
Clean up crews stayed on the scene until midnight Friday, then returned on Saturday to continue containment efforts.
Dominion said they will continue to monitor the area as needed and containment equipment is still at the site.
Source: WTOP