Petroleum Incident in Fortuna

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 residence in Fortuna at around 3 p.m. today.

Less than one gallon of a substance described as “non pcb insulating oil” was 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:

Per reporting party, due to a mechanical failure the top part of a pole mounted transformer blew off causing a spray of less then 1 gallon of non PCB insulating oil onto the dirt and some vegetation. The release has been stopped and contained with no impacted to waterways. The release will be cleaned up by a contractor.

This was the fourth hazardous materials incident recorded by the Office of Emergency Services in the Fortuna area this year and the 19th petroleum spill in the county overall.