Hundreds of gallons of fuel spilled at Wawa near Wildwood Bay over the weekend.
On Sunday afternoon, approximately 800 gallons of gasoline leaked from a tanker during a delivery at a Wawa store located on West Rio Grande Avenue in Wildwood, prompting immediate emergency responses from local authorities. The incident, which unfolded around 4:30 p.m., resulted in a temporary evacuation of the store and the surrounding area, although the site has since been reopened without reported injuries.
Daniel Dunn, deputy fire chief of the Wildwood City Fire Department, reported that emergency crews swiftly enacted containment measures to address the spill. Actions included blocking storm drains that lead to nearby waterways in an effort to mitigate potential environmental impact and eliminate sources of ignition. The operations ensured that the gasoline, enough to fill the fuel tanks of approximately 53 vehicles, did not flow into the back bay located a few hundred feet from the store.
The United States Coast Guard was alerted regarding the situation, due to concerns over gasoline potentially entering storm drains that connect with intercoastal waterways on the western side of the city. This precautionary measure underscores the seriousness with which local, state, and federal authorities are treating the environmental implications of the spill.
Lori Bruce, a spokesperson for Wawa, indicated that the leak was attributed to a potential equipment malfunction on the third-party fuel delivery tanker servicing the store. Wawa is collaborating with local agencies to evaluate the situation and ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect the environment moving forward.
In response to the incident, the Cape May County Health Department’s Hazardous Materials unit was deployed to the scene, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was also notified. The delivery truck involved in the spill was operated by a driver from Hammonton-based S. Carluzzo Petroleum Transporters, which subsequently enlisted Royersford, Pennsylvania-based Lewis Environmental to manage the cleanup efforts.
Cleanup operations were ongoing as of Monday morning, with Lewis Environmental personnel remaining on-site to ensure the safe resolution of the incident. The rapid response by emergency services reflects a proactive approach to preventing potential hazards following fuel spills, safeguarding both public health and environmental integrity.
Media News Source will continue to monitor developments related to this incident as investigations and cleanup efforts proceed.
