Officials from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency continue to assess environmental damage after nearly 8,000 gallons gasoline leaked from the Shell station at the intersection with routes 64 and 47 in Lily Lake on Wednesday.
The Illinois EPA is still present at the site. The investigation continues while immediate response actions are underway. Kim Biggs was the public information officer for Illinois EPA. She sent an email on Thursday afternoon. The extent of the environmental impact is still being assessed.
The agency will also examine whether Shell is facing any possible violations. Shell representatives were unable to be reached for comment.
Biggs stated that a review of possible violations will take place as more information becomes available.
Kane County Sheriff Patrick Gengler announced that eastbound Route 64 eastbound from Route 47 would remain closed for several consecutive days while special equipment provided by a private contractor is used to clean up.
Wednesday morning at 3:22 a.m., Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District responded when a report of an odor of gasoline outside was received at the Shell station located at 44W322 Illinois Route 64 Lily Lake. Crews arrived at the fueling station, which had been under construction, and noticed a strong odor coming from the tank storage area. Fire Chief Joe Cluchey stated in a news release.
Crews continued to investigate the site and noticed gasoline mixed with the rainwater. Further investigation revealed that there was a substantial amount of gasoline already released and that it was flowing outside the station property.
Cluchey explained that gasoline vapors caused the power grid to be shut off at the service station and adjacent properties.
He said that a new fuel pipe system is being built at the station for its seven fuel tank.
Cluchey explained that the tanks were partially filled in gasoline to prepare for their final inspection. A portion of the tanks was still visible. Three tanks were flooded by rainwater runoff, which appears to have flooded the underground storage area. Three tanks burst after they were raised to an area that was partially covered by concrete.
Later, it was determined that nearly 8,000 gallons gasoline had been released.
Within 90 minutes of arriving at the scene, the fire department had notified Kane County Office of Emergency Management, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that they were going to send representatives. The scene was also attended by the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office, and the Lily Lake village administrator.
Cluchey stated that the agencies worked together to identify the affected areas and prioritize the actions needed to stop the spread of the disease. He stated that the Illinois EPA worked with the West Chicago Fire Protection District and Kane County Department of Environmental and Water Resources to identify areas that needed immediate remediation to prevent spread to the Ferson Creek headwaters.