Petroleum Incident in Arcata

A new hazardous materials incident involving petroleum has been reported to the California Office of Emergency Services.

According to a report published by the office, the incident took place at or near a school in Arcata at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

Less than 10 gallons of a substance described as “hydraulic fluid” were released to the environment, according to the person who called in the report.

Here’s the description of the incident that was recorded by the Office of Emergency Services:

***POTENTIAL RELEASE*** The hydraulic line on an elevator at the school failed. While investigating the failure, the repair company noted the hydraulic line is missing around 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid, which they believe might be due a leak at the pipe housing of the piston. The product may have gone into the dirt below the elevator shaft but they have not been able to locate the material.

This was the 1st hazardous materials incident recorded by the Office of Emergency Services in the Arcata area this year and the 1st petroleum spill in the county overall.