Gas thieves cause fuel spill on Annacis Island

Crews work to clean up a fuel leak on Annacis Island on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. (CTV)

Thieves are being blamed for a gas leak on Annacis Island Tuesday morning that sent fuel draining into a sewage basin that leads to the Fraser River.

Delta police and fire crews were called to the 500-block of Ebury Place after three vehicles were found with their gas tanks punctured, marking the second gas theft in as many weeks in the area.

Fire Battalion Chief Mike Richardson said the messy modus operandi is becoming increasingly common both in Delta and Surrey.

“There’s no more siphoning, they just puncture a hole in the bottom of the tank and put a pan underneath,” Richardson said.

“They don’t care what they leave. When their tank is full they just wander off and let it spill.”

Authorities say the affected storm drains have oil interceptors that kept the fuel from reaching the river, however, and crews used a truck-mounted vacuum hose to suck out the chemicals.

The lack of rain in recent days meant the sewer water was stagnant and environmental risks low, Richardson added.

But the battalion chief said if a recently-filled vehicle, which could contain up to 100 gallons per tank, were targeted and left to drain, it could pose a real problem.

Police have yet to release any suspect descriptions in the theft.