Diesel fuel spills in Detention Center

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004 | 11:02 a.m.

Between 20 and 50 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the Clark County Detention Center and into Casino Center Boulevard this morning, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Department officials said.

An upper floor generator began leaking about 4 a.m., Metro Police said.

Firefighters used absorbent material to soak up the fuel, fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

It didn't pose any danger to anyone in the detention center or in the street, he said. About 400 inmates were moved to a different section of the jail as a precaution, Metro Sgt. Chris Jones said.

Fire officials notified the water authority in case fuel got into the stormwater drain, he said.

Water officials advised firefighters to flush the drain with water to dilute any fuel that might have gone down the drain, but Szymanski said it was "an insignificant amount."

It wasn't clear this morning what caused the generator to leak. Casino Center between Bridger and Lewis avenues was expected to be closed for most of the day.