Brewster odor traced to diesel spill

By TERRY CORCORAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: June 29, 2006)

BREWSTER — A diesel spill early yesterday on an exit ramp to Interstate 84 was the source of an odor that sickened six people at a delicatessen, authorities said.

Brewster firefighters and members of the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services responded around 8:30 a.m. to the Tres Amigos Deli and Market on Route 22 in the village on a report of six people complaining of eye and throat irritation.

Firefighters cleared the deli and sent in a crew to determine what people were smelling and where it may have come from. The county's Hazardous Materials Unit, along with a Hazmat team from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, used meters to test the air in and around the deli but found nothing unusual, Fire Chief Ken Clair said.

After remaining on the scene for about 90 minutes and investigating other reports of an odor similar to vehicle exhaust or diesel at several nearby locations along Route 22, officials concluded that the odor came from an earlier tractor-trailer accident.

The 18-wheeler rolled over around 3:30 a.m. on the ramp from I-684 north to I-84 east, spilling more than 100 gallons of diesel. Officials said they believe the spilled fuel made its way through storm drains and into the Croton River, which runs parallel to Route 22 and behind the deli.

"They traced it back to the accident earlier in the day," said Adam Stiebeling, Putnam County's deputy commissioner of emergency services. "It was not serious and had a relatively minor impact."

Two women were treated at the scene by Brewster Ambulance volunteers but did not require further medical attention. Four others who had complained of reactions to the odor left before authorities arrived.

The New York City DEP was on hand because several of its reservoirs are nearby.