Belmont Vehicle Fire Leads to Fuel Spill

A vehicle fire Friday resulted in a response from Belmont Fire, Police, Public Works and San Mateo County Environmental Health after approximately 12 gallons of fuel ran into the storm drain.

On Friday, April 18, 2014 at approximately 9:05 AM, Belmont Fire and Police responded to a report of a vehicle on fire in the intersection of Casa Bona Avenue and Newlands Avenue.  Upon arrival, emergency personnel found a 1984 Volkswagen Van fully engulfed in flames.  The fire was quickly extinguished by Belmont firefighters, but not before the contents of the fuel tank, approximately 12 gallons of gasoline, ran down the street and into a storm sewer at the corner of Casa Bona Avenue and Semeria Avenue. 

Due to the potential hazard, traffic in the area was diverted and additional fire apparatus from the San Mateo Fire Department responded to assistBelmont firefighters.  Belmont Public Works and San Mateo County Environmental Health also responded to deal with the spill.

The driver, a 58 year-old Belmont woman, told investigators that she was driving on Casa Bona when the van began to run rough.  A short time later she saw smoke and realized the van was on fire.  At this time it appears the fire started in the engine compartment and appears accidental.  The van was towed from the scene.

At approximately 11:40AM, the area was declared safe and the traffic restrictions were lifted.  There were no injuries.