Crime & Safety

Byram River Clean-Up Continues After 100 Gallon Oil Spill

Private contractors are operating with state oversight to clean up the Byram River after an oil spill Friday.

Crews are working to clean up contaminated soil and continue to monitor water pollution levels after more than 100 gallons of fuel oil on Friday.

The first indication of Friday's spill came late in the morning, when Greenwich firefighters noticed traces of oil on the Byram River, which runs along Port Chester's redeveloped waterfront.

Emergency authorities had a difficult time locating the source of the spill until the tide subsided, revealing a leak just beneath the Mill Street bridge, where Byram meets Port Chester. The river's waters were covered with a thin sheen of oil, which could be seen from the waterfront marina and areas along the waterfront business district.

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By noon, the Port Chester Fire Department was working with their counterparts in Greenwich, along with officials from the Coast Guard, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and private clean-up crews.

In all, "approximately 100 gallons, if not a little more" was leaked into the Byram River, said Port Chester fire Chief Kevin McFadden.

Find out what's happening in Port Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The clean-up's going to be extensive," he said. "There's a lot of contaminated soil."

The DEC has taken the lead on ongoing clean-up efforts. The spill does not represent an immediate health hazard to passersby, and businesses in the area -- mostly auto repair shops -- haven't been impacted.

Check back for more details.

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