Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 9, 2008

A diesel fuel leak from an emergency generator at WBTM/WAKG is being blamed for strange smells at Abe Koplen Clothing on Union Street and a small oil spill in the Dan River near the White Mill.
Danville Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott McNeely, who is in charge of its HAZMAT division, said the diesel spill’s travels through downtown storm drains is being investigated.
“There are traces all the way to the river,” he said Thursday.
He said the situation was first reported Monday, when the Grove Street area was secured. Since then, the area of the Dan River affected has been “boomed” — a process of soaking up a spill with oil-absorbent pads that grab oil but do not absorb water — and will be monitored, McNeely said.
“The Department of Environmental Quality was here Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said. “Everything that can be done has been done.”
McNeely said communities down river have been warned of the situation, but that it is believed the spill has been contained.
At Abe Koplen Clothing on Thursday, the smell from the leak was still strong.
Barry Koplen said a culvert runs under the building, and fumes were bad enough Monday he had to send employees home and close the store.
“The Department of Environmental Quality came and assured me it was not combustible or explosive,” Koplen said.
Koplen borrowed a heavy-duty fan from the fire department, which he has positioned by his front door. With the door open, fan running and the air conditioner running full blast, the fumes are beginning to dissipate, but are still very noticeable.
Koplen said he has no way to estimate the damages.
“The smell will come out of the clothing when it’s dry-cleaned, but it’s just not practical for me to dry clean everything,” Koplen said. “An insurance adjuster came by, but I’m kind of at a loss.”
Mike Wimmer, vice president and assistant general manager at WBTM/WAKG, confirmed there was a diesel spill at the station.
“We did have a diesel fuel spill from our emergency generator. The leakage has been dealt with and they’re working on it right now,” Wimmer said Thursday. “We’ve notified all the appropriate authorities.”