Fire Department

The Madison Fire Department Hazardous Incident Team (HIT) and other agencies responded to the scene of a significant fuel spill after the diesel tank of a semi truck was accidentally punctured Saturday afternoon.

Engine Co. 8 arrived first on scene to find a large leak coming from one of the semi’s fuel tanks. The semi was parked on the street and also near a sewer drain. The driver attempted to protect the sewer drain by placing cab seat cushions in front of it; however, this had little effect and approximately 150-170 gallons of fuel were estimated to have already gone into the sewer.

Firefighters laid down a product known as Oil Dry to create a dike in front of the sewer drain, and they also placed a catch basin beneath the fuel tank. An additional 10-15 gallons of remaining fuel were captured in the basin.

The MFD HIT, City of Madison Engineering Division, and Madison Water Utility responded to the scene to determine the sewer drainage routes, identify where the fuel had traveled upon entering the sewer system, and begin remediation efforts. City officials notified the Wisconsin DNR of their findings, and a private cleanup company was also asked to respond.

The disabled semi was towed away, and MFD turned the incident over to Madison Water Utility as they awaited the arrival of the environmental cleanup crew.