Rain Forces Oil Into Streets Near Van Nuys Airport
Rain from Saturday’s storm forced waste oil out of an underground tank at Van Nuys Airport and onto surrounding streets, where it flowed into a storm drain, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said.
Department spokesman Jim Wells said officials were informed of the leak at 10:39 a.m., adding that they could not determine how long the oil had flowed from the tank, located at the Helenat Co. on airport property.
A valve that allowed oil to flow into the tank had been accidentally left open, Wells said. An unknown amount of oil overflowed when rain also got into the tank, he said.
The oil then flowed to a drain at Hayvenhurst Avenue and Saticoy Street, he said. The valve controlling the oil was shut down about noon, he said.
Wells said there were no reports of damage from the leak and that officials did not view the spill as a hazard.
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