Diesel fuel leaks into Delco creek

An underground tank owned by Ridley Township leaked diesel fuel into a creek on Tuesday, officials said.

The spill, which was discovered about 10 a.m., occurred along Stony Creek near Second Avenue. behind a township maintenance garage and spread about a mile.

Officials are trying to determine how much fuel leaked into the creek. The tank capacity was about 10,000 gallons, about 4,000 gallons of water and fuel were in the tank at the time but most was recovered, said Bob Griffith, fire marshal.

Underground water from recent rains may have displaced and cracked the vessel. The tank is expected to be removed on Wednesday, Griffith said.

Cleanup crews deployed five sets of oil booms along the creek to contain the spill. The tiny waterway feeds into Darby Creek.

There is no sign of a fish kill, said Neil Shader, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Protections.

- Mari A. Schaefer