Fuel spill closes part of Batavia Library briefly

A diesel fuel spill in a parking lot prompted Batavia firefighters to evacuate the lower level of the Batavia Public Library for a short time Tuesday morning due to fumes entering the building.

The lower level houses the Youth Services Department, so the library canceled the 10 a.m. lap-sit storytime program and moved the 11 a.m. pre-walkers storytime to a meeting room on the main floor, according to George Sheetz, library director.

The fuel leaked out of a tank on a garbage truck, fire officials said in a news release. It leaked in the lot, on a driveway and on the street.

A library worker noticed the odor around 9:30 a.m. and called the fire department. Firefighters put down an absorbent and ventilated the lower level. Public works employees checked to see if the fuel had entered storm drains. Waste Management, which owns the truck, cleaned up the spill throughout the afternoon.