July 25, 2005 — Traffic is no longer being rerouted as it had been Monday afternoon while emergency officials were responding to the scene of a gasoline fire and a hazardous spill in the Sub Base area. Police had been asking motorists to avoid the area while clean up crews addressed a gasoline spill at the Texaco distribution center near the Public Works motor pool.
According to Territorial Police Chief Novelle Francis Jr., "everything is back to normal." He said he got a call around 5:15 p.m. saying the situation had been dealt with.
According to police spokesman, Sgt. Thomas Hannah, a fire had broken out around 4 p.m. "There was a fire there. That fire has been brought under control, however in the interim gasoline has spilled onto the roadway and into the gut," he said.
Police and fire crews had cordoned off portions of the area to facilitate an emergency clean-up.
James H. McCall, acting Police commissioner, who was on the scene, said at the height of the situation the LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) was a level 14, which McCall said was volatile. It was reduced to zero by about an hour after the spill — an acceptable and safe level, McCall said.
The roadway going into and out of Sub Base from the Cyril E. King Airport was blocked off and authorities were asking drivers to use alternate routes.
Emergency crews from WAPA, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, and Public Works responded to the scene.
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