Cleanup Underway For San Jose Fuel Spill

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - A major cleanup operation is underway in downtown San Jose to keep a diesel fuel spill from flowing into the Bay.

The fuel came from the AT&T building near the Guadalupe River.

Clean up crews are now using shovels and a mini-bulldozer to scrape up soil along the river bank, which is contaminated with diesel fuel.

KCBS Matt Bigler Reporting:

So far, there are no reports of oiled fish or birds, but the fuel may be impacting wildlife lower in the food chain.

"If it gets into the aquatic invertebrates or the aquatic plants, it could cause damage," said Don Kelly with the Department of Fish and Game.

Kelly said the fuel came from the backup power generators at the nearby AT&T building, spilling for an hour last Saturday before someone manually turned it off.

AT&T spokesman John Britton said an investigation is already underway with the San Jose Fire Department.

"We're going to do whatever is necessary to help make sure that all the fuel gets cleaned up," he said.

The company is paying for the cleanup effort, but may still face punitive damages.

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