Mineral oil spills from feed facility

PORTALES - A massive amount of mineral oil spilled out of a feed manufacturing facility and onto the streets of Portales on Thursday morning in what officials called an act of vandalism.

J.D. Heiskell and Co. officials wrote in a news release that vandals broke into a facility, stole equipment, and opened a valve on a tank of mineral oil.

The oil drained outside and covered a large area around downtown Portales, according to John DeSha, the city's public works director.

"(The affected area) would be from Commercial (Street) to Third (Street) on Abilene (Avenue), and then the traffic has spread it on Highway 70, a couple blocks either direction, and the same way on New Mexico 88," he said.

City officials said Thursday afternoon the mineral oil had been contained, and crews will return today to finish cleaning the affected areas.

Road crews with the city of Portales and the New Mexico Department of Transportation spent the morning covering the spill with sand and suctioning oil from the streets while members of the Portales Police Department directed traffic.

DeSha said the mineral oil will likely cause damage to the emulsion in the roads.

"We actually use mineral oil to clean up our equipment, to bring all the oils and things out, so it's going to damage the roads. It'll take a while for the damage to show up," he said.

In its press release, J.D. Heiskell advised anyone whose eyes or skin has come into contact with the oil to flush their eyes and thoroughly wash skin and any clothing.

The company warned motorists whose vehicles have come in contact with the oil to clean affected areas with warm water and detergent, and to wash vehicles at a commercial car wash.

It also stated that it has "contacted the appropriate authorities as well as environmental engineers to ensure that any damages as a result of the spill are limited, and that clean-up is done properly and safely."

The company did not say how much mineral oil was spilled.

Portales Police Department Public Information Officer Charlie Smart said no one was hurt as a result of the spill. City officials had asked motorists to slow to 15 mph in the area.

He added he has "no suspect information I can release at this time," and that a list of items stolen and their value had not been compiled.

As for the city, DeSha said staff will soon compile the cost of deploying a large number of employees for the spill.

"To be honest with you, it's not just the street department and their equipment - it's also my time, it's the fire department, the police department, everybody with the city, and then ... the state's gonna have costs as far as deploying their people for this as well," he said.