ASHAWAY — A rusted outdoor tank caused a spill of 150 to 200 gallons of home heating oil at a 63 Old Hopkinton Cemetery Road home early this morning.
Ashaway Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Williams said the bulk of the oil remained outside,but about 30 to 35 gallons seeped into the family's basement.
"There was a strong smell of fuel oil in the house," he said.
The tank, which was manufactured in 2001, might have failed due to exposure to the elements, Williams conjectured. However, he noted that had the tank been in the basement when it failed, it would have been a lot worse for the family.
The home has two, 275gallon tanks, and only one failed, he said. The good tank was isolated from the failed one so the family still has heat.
A private contractor is digging up the contaminated soil today, Williams said, and will probably be done by the end of the day. He said no water sources were in danger of contamination from the spill.
The family left the home briefly, but were back inside with the heat on by morning.
Ashaway Volunteer Fire Department and the Hope Valley Haz-Mat team responded to the spill. There were no injuries, Williams said, and response teams kept the damage as small as possible
