Yesterday in Fallbrook, suspected fuel thieves allegedly drilled into a parked U-Haul's gas tank on West College Street, sending gasoline spilling across the pavement and toward the stream beside the Pico Promenade Trail. The leak triggered a hazardous-materials response and forced West College Street to close for several hours while crews worked to stop the flow.
According to Village News, the call came in at 11:30 PM outside 119 W. College St., and a firefighter from Engine 111 said it appeared someone had drilled directly into the U-Haul's tank to steal gasoline. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to assist, and hazmat teams stayed on scene into the early morning before the incident was declared closed at 2:03 AM.
Risk to the trail and local waterways
Gasoline can spread quickly across pavement and into sheet flow, which poses serious risks to aquatic life and water quality if it reaches creeks or storm drains. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that oil and petroleum products threaten inland waters and emphasizes rapid containment and reporting after a spill, while San Diego County's Hazardous Materials Division maintains emergency duty desks and guidance for releases that reach waterways. Rapid on-scene containment, such as the absorbent barriers crews used here, helps limit environmental impact while specialized teams complete cleanup and sampling.
Who responded and what they did
North County Fire Protection District crews, including Battalion 111 and Engine 111, handled the scene alongside regional hazmat resources. Local reporting and photos show responders laying out absorbent "socks" and using other containment methods to keep gasoline from entering the stream, and one hazmat vehicle remained after lanes reopened to finish the cleanup, according to Village News.
Legal note
Drilling into a vehicle's fuel tank and taking gasoline can lead to criminal charges under state law. California's Penal Code defines theft under Penal Code §484 and criminal damage under Penal Code §594, and investigators will decide whether to file charges after the Sheriff's Office completes its inquiry.
Authorities have not released suspect information and the investigation is ongoing. This story will be updated as officials provide more details.
