On Tuesday May 14, 2024, at 5:45, the Wilmington Fire Department responded to the King Star Gas Station at 2711 Lancaster Avenue for a report of a large fuel spill.
9-1-1 calls indicated that an auto that was obtaining fuel from the pumps at the station and drove off while the gas fill hose was still inserted in the vehicle fuel fill. The fuel fill hose broke away from the fuel pump, as it is designed to do. The emergency stop function of the fuel pump did not engage and gasoline continued to flow until it was manually stopped. By that time, nearly 60 gallons of gasoline had spilled on the ground.
Arriving fire department personnel took actions to prevent the spilled fuel from entering storm sewer and mitigate any environmental threats. The spill control unit from the Belvedere Fire Company was requested, along with the Delaware Division of Natural Resoures and Environmental Control (DNREC).
After all hazards were controlled, the fire department turned the scene over to DNREC, who is responsible for clean up of the spilled fuel and absorbent materials as well as any enforcement and investigative actions that may be necessary.
Approximately 10 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded:_Engine 6, Battalion Chief 2, Belvedere Fire Co. Haz-Mat 30, DNREC