Massive Fuel Leak at UK Airfield

240,000 liters of jet fuel have seeped into the ground at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk UK. The fuel was spilt after workmen unknowingly damaged an underground pipe while carrying out electrical maintenance on taxiway lighting. It was expected that it would take at least two weeks to purify the contaminated area. Forest Heath District Council, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water are involved in a clean-up. The leak was detected on Friday after base personnel noticed that delivery fuel pressure and flows had slowed. For those who can't visualize that quantity, think of it as seven articulated tanker loads. Lt Col Scott Hartford, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, said: "The spill site has now been isolated." For an oil company, a mere 100 liter spill is liable to have the Environment Agency involved. A USAF fuel spill on an RAF station is unlikely to attract a fine however.