A substance leaking out of two inactive BP lines in the Cobblestones neighborhood of Munster Wednesday appears to be harmless, but the Munster Fire Department is calling for caution just the same.
Munster Fire Chief Mark Hajduk told the Post-Tribune Wednesday evening that residents called the department Tuesday for an odor and then a sheen near the area of the odor August 19. Munster Fire contacted BP as soon as it determined there were pipelines, he said.
BP then sent out response crews, which set up equipment — including air monitoring — to collect the material. As of right now, there is no elevated reading of any kind, Hajduk said.
“We’re collecting the material and will be out here for the next 24 hours, but at this time, there’s no imminent danger,” Hajduk said. “The safety of our responders, the community and the environment remain our highest priority, and updates will be issued as more information becomes available.”
Residents in the area should nevertheless not touch the substance and follow instruction of the response personnel, he added.
Residents with concerns should reach out to BP Pipeline at 1-800-548-6482 or the Munster Fire department at 219-836-6960.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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