Here's What Caused Greasy, 3-Mile Oil Slick In Newark: Officials

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities say they’ve identified the source of a greasy, three-mile-long oil spill that caused traffic troubles in the Ironbound section of Newark last week.

A white truck with a 600-gallon storage tank was carrying a load of used cooking oil around 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 15 when the vehicle’s sight glass was damaged at the rear of the tank. The contents – which were destined for recycling – then began to spill out on the street, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Workers eventually discovered the leak when offloading the truck. But by that time, about 150 gallons of greasy liquid had spilled onto a three-mile section of roadway on Stockton and Delancey streets, Adams and Thomas streets and Wilson Avenue, authorities said.

A large coat of sand was used to cover the area to facilitate traffic flow, but not before it hampered the evening rush hour commute, authorities said.

The owner of the vehicle surrendered himself to Newark police three days later, authorities said.

Reimbursement for the cleanup, including labor hours, will be sought by the Newark Fire Division’s Haz-Mat unit through the truck owner’s insurance company. No summonses were issued, authorities stated.

“We are grateful that the vehicle’s owner took responsibility for his actions,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “I commend the members of the Newark Fire Division’s Haz-Mat Unit for their quick response and for seeking the assistance of our Essex County partners to ensure that the affected roadways were safe for drivers.”

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