Residents want answers after fuel leak shuts down a Woodstock Tim Hortons
Beardsley Road location been closed for weeks, won't reopen until May, company website says
Five large pump trucks idle loudly in an otherwise empty Tim Hortons parking lot in Woodstock.
Some have the words Environmental Services stencilled on their sides. Others say Septic Tank Cleaning, Oil Spill Response.
Some people in the area say they heard truckers had complained about the smell of gas on their hands after washing up at the now darkened and closed Tim Hortons. And other customers had complained about the taste of fuel in their beverages as far back as late November.
"Everybody I know, they discuss it," said Verne Beers, 81, who lives about 700 metres from that Tim Hortons location on Beardsley Road.
But despite all their questions, it was only this week the province confirmed that there had, in fact, been a fuel leak — at Murray's Irving gas station restaurant, located just across the parking lot from the Tims.
CBC News spoke to residents who said they were not able to get an answer from Tim Hortons or the gas station, which was also closed for several days, as to what happened in mid-December when they shut down.
Many said they were worried there had been a leak and they may have consumed products contaminated with fuel.
Beers and several of his neighbours say they were all aware when both the Tim Hortons and Murray's shut down on Dec.12.
"It was closed and there were environmental trucks and suction trucks, that sort of thing," said Beers, who is concerned about the possibility of his well water being contaminated.
But he and several of his neighbours, including former customers who drank and ate at those locations daily, say they've been worried for weeks about what they may have consumed.
What happened?
When contacted by phone, Ian MacDougall, owner of that Tim Hortons, was asked if he could explain the reason for the closure.
"I'm afraid I can't," MacDougall said. "I'm the franchisee, so I can direct you to the Tim's media hotline."
WATCH | Why did this N.B. Tim Hortons abruptly shut down?
An email from Restaurant Brands International stated that "Tim Hortons on Beardsley Road is currently closed due to an issue with another neighbouring business." Follow up emails have gone unanswered.
CBC News made several requests to speak with the management and the owners of Murray's Irving, located just across the parking lot from the Tim Hortons. Those requests via phone and email went unanswered.
Several calls and emails were also sent to Irving Oil Ltd., over several days, requesting information on a potential fuel leak. Those calls and emails have also gone unanswered.
Meanwhile, pump trucks continue to operate at the Tim Hortons.
After being closed since mid-December, the gas station and restaurant have since reopened.
Prompted by tips from local residents, CBC News documented a makeshift building that has been erected behind the gas station. Built from orange tarps and 2x4s amd insulated with spray foam, it houses a large portable water tank on a trailer.
Tim Hortons will not reopen until May 29, according to the company's website.
Government response
According to a statement provided by the province on Jan. 8, there was a fuel leak.
"The Department of Environment and Local Government was made aware of a fuel release in Lower Woodstock on December 12 and can confirm that it was a diesel release from the Irving station," Clarissa Anderson, spokesperson for the department, said in an email.
"Irving Oil Ltd. is the party responsible for the contaminated site and remedial actions were immediately implemented at the site and they continue. Measures have been put in place to ensure there is no risk to human health."
CBC News requested an interview with someone from the department, but no one was made available.
According to the Department of Health, there were no complaints logged with the local health inspector for either location.The department did not provide an interview.
"Murray's resumed operation as of Dec. 20, following our review and approval of the interim water supply solution proposed for the site," David Kelly, spokesperson for the department, said in an email.
"They have complied with our testing requirements to prove safety of the potable water system prior to reopening, and ongoing sampling is conducted at the facility to demonstrate a safe water supply for their restaurant.
"Given this compliance and ongoing monitoring, the public should be reassured as to the safety of the food and beverages being served at this establishment. We have no grounds to suspect a significant health risk to patrons of this facility."
Both the Department of Health and the Environment Department referred CBC News to Irving Oil Ltd. for follow-up questions regarding the extent of the fuel leak. Additional requests to Irving Oil have gone unanswered.
Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones confirmed that neither location is on the municipal water supply.
In an email she said that the town's chief administrative officer contacted Irving for updates on the situation and "they have been fairly responsive."
"We are conscious that this is likely concerning to many, as it was to us where their property does fall within the municipal boundaries," Jones said.
"We share everyone's concerns. However, we understand they are following all requirements from the Department of Environment and an environmental assessment is being done."
She directed any further questions to Irving Oil Ltd.
Questions unanswered
No one from the Department of Environment, Department of Health, Town of Woodstock, Irving Oil Ltd., Murray's, or Tim Hortons would answer questions about the duration of the diesel leak, its extent, or if the public was at risk from consuming products contaminated with fuel in the weeks prior to its detection.
"Not knowing is worse than knowing," said Beers.
"That causes worry to a lot of people. I would imagine there are a lot of people ... that are worried."
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