On Sunday afternoon, an estimated 800 gallons of gasoline spilled at the Wawa convenience store located at 418 West Rio Grande Avenue in Wildwood, New Jersey. The incident occurred during a routine delivery by a fuel tanker truck. Wildwood Fire Department Deputy Chief Daniel Dunn confirmed that the fuel overflowed during the transfer, spilling onto the Wawa property and prompting an immediate emergency response.
To contain the spill, emergency personnel blocked nearby storm drains to prevent fuel runoff into the surrounding ecosystem. It remains unclear how much gasoline, if any, entered the drainage system, which discharges into the adjacent back bay. Streets surrounding the site were promptly closed off to ensure public safety.
Swift Multi-Agency Response Averts Immediate Crisis
Crews from the Wildwood Fire Department, Cape May County, and the U.S. Coast Guard worked in coordination to contain the spill and mitigate environmental damage. Absorbent materials and containment booms were deployed to soak up and isolate the fuel before it could spread further.
Despite the scale of the incident, officials reported no injuries, evacuations, or fire threats. The estimated 800 gallons of gasoline was confined to private property, and local authorities reassured the public that the situation was under control. As a precaution, adjacent roads remain closed while cleanup efforts continue.
Investigation Underway, Long-Term Impact Still Unclear
Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the tanker malfunction that led to the spill. Whether it was due to human error, equipment failure, or procedural lapses is still under review. Officials from the U.S. Coast Guard and Cape May County are also conducting water and soil tests to assess potential environmental damage, especially given the proximity to sensitive waterways.
Residents are urged to avoid the area around the Wawa and to follow updates from local officials. While there is no current public health advisory, authorities remain cautious, emphasizing that environmental impact assessments are still ongoing.
The estimated 800 gallons of gasoline spilled at a Wildwood Wawa has prompted a large-scale emergency response and raised concerns about environmental risks in the area. While no injuries have been reported, the investigation continues, and road closures remain in place. Local, county, and federal teams are working together to ensure full containment and evaluate any long-term impact on nearby ecosystems.
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Source: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/fuel-spill-wildwood-wawa/4238036
