60,000 Gallons Of Jet Fuel Spill From Sunoco Pipeline In Upper Merion

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — A Sunoco pipeline was struck in the Bridgeport section of Upper Merion on Thursday afternoon, resulting in a massive spill of some 60,000 gallons of jet fuel and kerosene, according to state officials and local police.

The shelter in place issued late in the afternoon Tuesday has been lifted, but authorities are urging residents to avoid the impacted area.

The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on River Road near Insurance Auto Auction.

Most of the fuel flowed into the nearby Glasgow Quarry and away from the Schuylkill River, State Rep. Tim Briggs said late Thursday.

Authorities have not said if they know how the pipeline was struck. The pipeline was immediately shut off by Sunoco to stop the leak.

The extent of damage to the surrounding environment is not yet clear.

"There are currently no reported impacts to the river," Briggs said. "The incident has moved into the cleanup phase, which is already underway."

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and local cleanup crews were asked by the quarry owner not to enter the site until Friday morning for safety reasons.

All roads around the site have reopened.