Crews Work To Contain Oil Spill

BOSTON -- Environmental crews are still working to contain an oil spill that sent thousands of gallons of home heating oil into the Fore River and nearby wetlands Tuesday. They said it could be weeks before they have the spill completely mopped up.

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Gail Huff Reports On Spill

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that 10,000 gallons of oil burst from a pipeline at the Citgo Oil Co. facility in Braintree about 3 p.m., with 500 to 1,000 gallons seeping into the river.

A spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection said that large, absorbent booms were placed in the water near the facility, containing much of the oil and vacuums were used to pump up oil that leaked onto wetlands.

Officials said the spill of 8,000 to 12,000 gallons of oil was likely caused by a rupture in a 4-inch aboveground pipe that carries oil from the Citgo plant to the Braintree Electric Light Department nearby.

"It appears to have been over-pressurization on the line, perhaps because of faulty pressure release valve, and basically a flange on this line blew off, and basically oil spouted in the air like a geyser," said John Fitzgerald of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The refinery sits near the river, but crews worked rapidly to contain it.

"The facility acted very quickly to deploy booms in the water, so most of the oil was actually kept near the facility," said Fitzgerald.

"I just hope it's contained and there's no real impact on the environment," said Patty Whitehouse, a concerned neighbor.

"The biggest threat would be if the oil migrated into sensitive areas, wetland areas, shellfish areas. It appears that that is not the case," said Fitzgerald.