Fire Log: Spring Cleanup Causes Messy Oil Spill

The following information was provided by the Office of the Fire Marshal:

Wednesday, April 14

MEDICAL ASSIST: At 7:40 a.m., Darien and Noroton Heights Fire Department assisted Post 53 on a medical call at the Exit 13 rest area on the I-95 south, where a driver was suffering chest pain.

*Lead Story HAZMAT INCIDENT: For the neighbors of Stanley Road, Spring Cleanup resulted in a messy oil spill, authorities say.

Fire Marshal Bob Buch said a transformer fell from a utility pole in the area of 11 Stanley Road during the March Nor'easter, causing it to crack. CL&P subsequently installed a new transformer, and the old one was left for trash—or treasure.

"For spring cleanup, we get many people riding around town scavenging," said Chief Gary Plank of the NHFD. "Residents on Stanley witnessed a pickup truck actually remove items from the back of the truck to make room and then take the transformer; I guess for the metal value."

Cheif Plank said moving the cracked transformer caused oil to leak on the roadway. Noroton Heights Fire Department responded to 11 Stanley Road just before 8 a.m. to cleanup.

MVA/INJURY: Darien and Noroton Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident on I-95 southbound near Exit 13 at 1:43 p.m.

Thursday, April 15

BRUSH FIRE: A mulch delivery atop a landscape light caused a small, early-morning brush fire on Scofield Farms. Chief Plank said that the light produced enough heat during the overnight to ignite a small amount of the mulch. Noroton Heights Fire Department arrived at the residence at about 6:30 a.m. The only reported damage was to the light.

MVA/INJURY: Noroton Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident on I-95 southbound near Exit 10 at 8:06 a.m. Post 53 assisted with minor injuries.

Friday, April 16

OUTSIDE EQUIPMENT FIRE: A power line on Hoyt Street fell as the result of a small electrical fire. Noroton Heights Fire responded to the scene at 2 p.m. to put out the fire and secure the area.

SMOKE SCARE: Darien and Noroton Fire Department responded to a smoky situation on Tokeneke Beach Drive at about 9:21 p.m., Friday evening. The Fire Marshal said smoldering embers in the fireplace caused smoke to pervade the room.

Sunday, April 18

MVA/FUEL LEAK: Noroton Heights Fire Department helped clean up a small fuel leak from a tractor-trailer parked at service area on the I-95 southbound. Chief Plank said the leak came from the refrigeration section of the truck and had no environmental impact. The service area was not closed, and firefighters used speedy dry to contain the leak. The Department of Transportation was called the sweep up, Plank said.

CHIMNEY FIRE: A chimney fire, the result of a buildup of creosote, brought the Noroton Heights Fire Department to a Wee Burn Lane home at about 3:30 p.m. Chief Plank said such fires are typical of chimneys not regularly cleaned.

"Luckily no damage occurred this time, but there's always the possibility of the fire making its way through cracks in mortar and extending to the wood structure of a house," he said.