LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) A gas station’s tank leaked into the city’s sewer system Wednesday morning, fire officials report.
The smell of gasoline lingered for hours in the 4400 block of Johnston Street after officials say a gas pipe at Circle K cracked and leaked into the sewerage lines.
After hours of digging, fire officials were able to locate the problem and the repairs began, according to Lafayette Fire Investigator Alton Trahan.
Trahan said his office learned that the incident likely began two months ago when a UPS kiosk was built beside the store and during the process a vent line to the underground gas tank was cracked.
“With intrusion of water into the gas tank, the levels raised and likely escaped through the cracked vent pipe into the ground. The gasoline mixture eventually seeped into the sewer system via a cracked sewer line.” Trahan said.
As of 10 p.m., Trahan said the level of fuel mixture in the underground tank has been lowered to reduce the potential of additional leakage and the sewer line has been plugged to avoid any seeping into the sewer system.
Frier Lane will be closed throughout the night to keep traffic away from the area, Trahan said.
He said additional work to fully repair all lines will be conducted Thursday morning.
No evacuations were ordered.