Naval Air Station, Brunswick (NASB); Brunswick, ME

Brunswick, ME | 1993-Mar-28

Initial Notification: On March 27 or 28, 1993, it is speculated that a large mass of snow fell from the roof of a NASB fuel storage tank actuating a lever that opened a valve. With the valve open, some 63,000 gallons of jet petroleum #5, commonly known as JP-5, poured into the bermed area into an open-water drain. This drain led to a stream off site, eventually running into the Androscoggin River through a small cattail marsh. The open valve went undetected until passing motorists contacted local officials because of the strong petroleum odor. Local officials tracked the fuel to the NASB tank and secured it, then notified the responsible state and federal agencies. USCG district 1. Keyword: in-situ burning, sorbent boom, vacuum trucks.