Oil Drum Vandalized, Spills Into Sewer

About half of a 3,000-gallon storage tank of motor oil was dumped at an oil change franchise but was stopped short of the Green River, authorities said.

Someone hooked a garden hose to a water tap at the Q Lube outlet, removed the top of the tank, inserted the hose and turned on the water, causing about 1,500 gallons of oil to overflow and run into storm sewers late Saturday night or early Sunday, firefighters said in a news release.

The vandalism was discovered by Q Lube personnel arriving for work about 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

Crushed rock was used to stop the spread of oil after it had flowed about a mile and a half, and the sewers were being pumped and cleaned by water quality, public works and Q Lube work crews, the statement said.

Police were trying to determine who was responsible.