Leonia, N.J. — September 4 —On the morning of September 4, reports of a strong gasoline-like odor inside the Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Schor Avenue prompted the dispatch of Leonia Fire Department Company No. 1. Along with Bergen County Haz-Mat, responding units included Engine 2, Ladder 1, and LE-7, 8, and 9. When crews arrived, they discovered that the smell was coming from a 275-gallon heating oil tank in the church basement that had leaked, releasing fuel oil.

Firefighters from Leonia ventilated the building to eliminate fumes and used absorbent material to contain and control the spill. To remove the remaining fuel from the damaged tank, Bergen County Haz-Mat worked with an environmental cleanup company. Less than two hours were spent on the scene.