Ridgefield firefighters at 58 Ethan Allen Highway, Ridgefield, mitigating oil spilling into the Norwalk River Feb. 19. — Hayden Turek photo
Oil is spilling into the Norwalk River as of 1 p.m., Feb. 19. Affected areas include parts of the river in Wilton, Ridgefield, and Redding.
The source of the spill, according to Ridgefield Fire Chief Kevin Tappe, must either be the business at 58 Ethan Allen Highway, or some pipe behind that location.
“There’s oil going into a storm drain from a pipe that’s coming from that building or behind it; we’re not sure,” Tappe said.
Ridgefield and Georgetown fire remain on the scene at 58 Ethan Allen Highway. Firefighters are mitigating the spill until they can determine its source.
“We’ve put absorbent pads in the storm drain. We’re also putting booms and pads in the culvert to keep [the oil] from getting into the river any more than it already has,” Tappe said.
A crew from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was expected by 1:15. “We’ve also notified Metro-North Police,” Tappe said, “because we’re working on the tracks.”
A Metro-North spokesperson said the spill has not caused any cancellations or delays, but “there will be potential for slow-downs [for trains passing] through the Branchville area” until it is contained.
Oil was reported in multiple areas along the river around noon today, Feb. 19. Local personnel from Wilton, Ridgefield and Georgetown were dispatched in response to the different reports, to determine the extent of the affected area.
Oil in the Norwalk River near 1047 Danbury Road in Wilton. — Hayden Turek photo
One Wilton police unit and four Georgetown Fire units were dispatched to 1047 Danbury Road in Georgetown around noon. Minutes later, Ridgefield fire responded to 32 Ethan Allen Highway, Ridgefield.
The different emergency response agencies worked together to narrow the source of the spill down to the area of 58 Ethan Allen Highway. According to Tappe, there are 12 Ridgefield fire personnel and four Georgetown fire personnel still on-scene. Wilton police have returned to headquarters.
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