Fuel Spill Makes Mess at Fort Lauderdale Airport

A jet fuel line ruptured near a parking garage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Tuesday, causing a traffic jam and delaying refueling of at least 25 planes.

No one was injured, but the smell of jet fuel lingered throughout much of the afternoon as rescue workers took about four hours to clean up the mess by spraying foam and water in and around Palm Garage.

It appeared that a truck may have struck a venting pipe sticking out of a manhole at a nearby construction site, causing the break, airport spokesman Greg Meyer said.

The accident caused a traffic backup for people picking up and dropping off passengers, Meyer said. Palm Garage, 600 Terminal Dr., was closed until about 4 p.m.

Cypress and Hibiscus garages remained open.

Broward sheriff's deputies closed nearby roads but traffic continued to flow into and out of the airport.

A contractor will begin a thorough examination of the affected airport grounds Wednesday, Meyer said. It's possible that fuel seeped into the soil.

Although Miami International Airport shares a fuel line with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, the incident did not affect MIA.

While airport and Broward Sheriff's Office officials investigate the cause of the leak, airport officials are meeting to discuss ways to prevent another incident.

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