Spilled Fuel Leaked Into Leesburg Creeks: Fire Department

LEESBURG, VA — Fuel spilled out onto waterways in Leesburg on Tuesday, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue officials.

First responders found fuel in the Town Branch and the Tuscarora Creek waterways. Authorities determined that the fuel came from an overfilled backup generator at Inova Loudoun Hospital's Cornwall campus.

There were no injuries reported from the leaking fuel, and Inova staff are working to mitigate the damage from the spill, authorities said.

Around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, a caller reported oil or fuel floating in the creek near South King Street in Leesburg. Fire and rescue crews arrived and started to set up containment booms in the waterways. Containment booms are temporary floating barriers that prevent oil from spreading through water.

First responders tracked the oil to the backup generator at Inova Loudoun's Cornwall campus. Authorities said the oil travelled through storm drains.

Inova is working with the Town of Leesburg, the fire marshal's office, the Department of Environmental Quality, and a cleaning contractor to mitigate damage and start the clean-up process.

"This process could take several days to complete. Residents in the immediate area may notice a residual odor or petroleum sheen on waterways as the cleanup continues," Loudoun County Fire and Rescue said in a news release. "The source of the leak has been contained and there is no ongoing public threat."