Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, Fire Chief Steven P. Lavigne, and Police Chief Edward J. Walsh announce that, out of an abundance of caution, safety measures have been put into place in the area of a gasoline leak on Middleboro Avenue.
On Monday, Aug. 28, the Taunton Fire Department was notified of a possible gasoline leak from gas pumps at Amaro’s, 508 Middleboro Ave.
A Taunton Fire Department inspector responded to the scene, and determined there was evidence of a gasoline leak. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Taunton Board of Health were notified.
The Amaro family has been working with the City, DEP, a licensed site professional, and contractors to more fully evaluate and mitigate the situation.
On Saturday, Sept. 2, at about 12 p.m., a Taunton Police officer subsequently noticed gasoline vapor coming from a drainage manhole near the gas station on Middleboro Avenue.
Taunton Firefighters responded and discovered that gasoline vapors were present.
The surrounding area has been secured. A vapor barrier has been installed in the manhole to prevent vapors from spreading. A firefighter and police officer have been stationed in the area to ensure public safety. Amaro’s has closed voluntarily until the situation can be rectified.
DEP and other officials are also testing businesses and buildings in the area to ensure no other gas vapors are present. No additional contamination has been found at this time. Such testing will be ongoing.
“All the other businesses in that area are open and have been tested. There are no vapors in those businesses, and they’re safe,” said Chief Lavigne. “All the residents and businesses in the area are safe, and we will continue monitoring the situation.”
“My office is working closely with our Police and Fire Departments to monitor this situation. We are continuously assessing new information and adjusting the City’s response accordingly,” said Mayor O’Connell. “Public safety remains our first priority and we are taking all of the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our residents and local businesses in East Taunton. I applaud the hard work of our public safety agencies who work together around the clock to help keep us safe.”