There was a bit of excitement here tonight and I may have to sleep elsewhere.

The next door neigbour decided it would be expeditious to hose gasoline he’d spilled on his driveway into the sewer. So that’s what he did.

Here in the north, homes have sump pumps.
The smell of gas was overpowering so we called the fire department.

Right now city work crews are flushing the system, and air levels are currently acceptable.

The guy that did it doesn’t think it was any big deal.
The fire department, the neighbours and the works crew think otherwise.

I cannot understand how an adult can be so foolish.
He joked at first, but wasn’t laughing as the evening progressed.
Lying about the amount doesn’t work. The meters and experience don’t lie.
And fire guys and work crews don’t take kindly to that kind of dodging.
The fire department has to stay on the scene and check every home on the block, re-route traffic, re-check homes and if necessary will flush out several sump pumps.

Neighbours were outside complaining of nausea, dizziness and headaches.
A whole block of people. Mothers, fathers, kids, grandparents and pets.
I can identify. At least if we have to leave I have a place to stay tonight.

And tomorrow, I am taking a few minutes to talk to the environment officer at the municipal office. If they don’t think it is worth laying charges under the by-laws I’ll be happy to. I suspect a few neighbours will be following up too.
If it had been an accident I’d keep my nose out of it.
But it was deliberate and just plain stupid.

Update:
I’m out of here for the night.
Flushing the system is raising levels again.
Back tomorrow.

Update:
ar arr arrr. The environment bylaw enforcement officer showed up at the door today. We had a good chat. They rousted the neighbour out of bed after midnight last night and had a serious conversation. He was remorseful at that stage. He will get a strong letter of reprimand, which explains the proper disposal of gasoline and what will happen if he does it again.
What’s neat is there will be follow through with the neighbours on the block.
A notice will be sent out and in a few weeks a work crew will test all the sump pumps and advice owners about proper capping. He took a look at ours and was impressed, it’s been well installed. I’m satified, the environment dude doesn’t have any more patience with stupid than I do, and the seriousness of neighbours behavior appears to have sunk in.:^)