Pocono News Section

Strong Oil Smell Prompts Evacuations

Strong Oil Smell Prompts Evacuations - Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 9:13PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 @ 09:13pm EST
WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY - The busy Arena-hub in Luzerne County was filled with police and firefighters Saturday afternoon after a strong smell of oil filled the air. Several businesses, including a restaurant and hotel, were evacuated as a precaution. Investigators pinpointed the source of the smell as a truck which leaked motor oil.

Nearly 150 people who were inside the Chuck-E-Cheese restaurant and a neighboring liquor store were evacuated because of the smell. At the neighboring Marriott Hotel, officials weren't taking any chances either.

Guest Glen Johnson and his family were swimming, when they were told to get out.

"They told us there was a gas leak in the area and they were evacuating the hotel. It's a little troublesome. You have five or six girls who want to go swimming. The last thing they want to hear was get out of the pool," Johnson said.

UGI workers were called to the scene. Just after dark, they pinpointed the smell to the back of the Walmart Plaza. That is where a boat which was being hauled by a trailer leaked motor oil. Officials estimate between 10 and 15 gallons of oil spilled.

As soon as the source of the smell was figured out, all of the businesses were allowed to resume operating. So far, firefighters say they have not heard reports of anyone getting sick because of the strong smell.