Published: November 11, 2009 08:41 am      

EPA investigates gas leak

Gas at Circle K may have run into creek near Fifth Street

By Becky Manley / Staff Writer

The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating a gasoline leak that happened Tuesday afternoon at the Circle K located at the intersection of Cumberland Falls and Fifth Street roads.

As fire and police cars with emergency lights flashing surrounded the station, a strong smell of gasoline drifted across its parking lot.

According to Corbin police, enough gasoline leaked onto the station’s pavement at one point to leave standing puddles of gasoline.

The gasoline is believed to have run into a drain that feeds into a small creek located across Fifth Street Road.

Firefighters placed absorbent booms and sponges around the station’s parking lot as well as in the creek to prevent more gasoline from flowing into the creek.

EPA officials, as well as firefighters from Corbin and Oak Grove departments, pried access caps off of underground tanks while searching for the source of the leak.

While officials worked, traffic was slowed at the intersection of Cumberland Falls and Fifth Street roads.

Corbin Independent Schools officials were notified of the traffic slowdown since it occurred about the time students were dismissed. Josh Van Norstran, the school district’s transportation director, said he notified bus drivers of the traffic slowdown, although he said he believes it did not cause them any problems.

An official from the Environmental Protection Agency in Frankfort said a report would not likely be available on the leak until Thursday due to the Veterans Day holiday.



Community Editor Bobbie Poynter contributed to this story