At approximately 1700 hrs. on August 22, 2018, a fire occurred at the Motopac Corp. facility located at the Luchetti Industrial Park in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The facility is a distributor of automotive/industrial lubricants, chemicals, shop equipment, accessories, and parts as well as service and contract packaging. As a result of the fire, there was a release of motor oil from the facility into a storm drain. The NRC report was called in at 2243 hrs. on August 22nd, by the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (EQB).
The fire was extinguished and Motopac retained the services of a cleanup contractor. An unknown amount of oil was released from the facility, impacting local drainage ditches and unnamed surface water bodies, however, material did not reach the La Malaria Channel. Cleanup contractors, overseen by the EQB have been actively managing the spill by establishing containment and capture areas. Drums remain inside the facility along with an estimated 4-6 inches of spilled oil. However, with a collapsed roof, access to the interior has proven difficult.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an investigation and released the Site to be cleaned. EBQ maintains control of the Site and will provide Site oversight.
