Around 400 litres of gasoline has seeped into drains and waterways at Fairwinds Golf Club following an overnight syphoning of fuel by thieves. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

FUEL SPILL

Gas thieves cause sizeable fuel leak at Nanoose golf course

Nov 21, 2019 | 9:09 AM

NANOOSE BAY — Thieves who syphoned gas from a fuel container at Fairwinds Golf club caused a significant environmental situation.

In the overnight hours of Wednesday, Nov. 20, locks were broken off a fuel container on Fairwinds Dr. and fuel taken from the site, according to Oceanside RCMP.

Thieves left a fuel pump handle open before leaving the scene. When the fuel pump engaged Thursday morning, roughly 400 litres of gasoline spilled out of the tank into nearby sewer drains and water features.

Crews from the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department worked on containing the spill from nearby streams and rivers.

Fairwinds general manager Derek Haynes told NanaimoNewsNOW the fire department used devices known as “tails” to stop the gas from spilling into other waterways.

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Haynes said while the golf course’s ecosystem is well-contained, there’s a chance fuel could run towards the ocean.

“There are environmental contractors taking samples and building plans to make sure if there’s anything damaging, we can restore the area and protect the wildlife…those are our big concerns,” Haynes said.

The golf course closed Thursday as environmental consultants tested water to determine the extent of the pollution.

The course is expected to reopen Friday, Nov 22.

A strong gas odour lingered across much of the driving range and nearby fairways Thursday afternoon.

Oceanside RCMP are investigating and looking for tips from anyone in the Fairwinds Dr. area late on Wednesday, Nov 20 or in the early morning hours of Thursday Nov. 21.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley