Snow in July?

On Monday, July 27 2009, Wellesley Police Dispatchers Kevin Lewis and Sarah Walsh began receiving 911 calls reporting an unknown condition at the Shell gas station on Route 9 and Overbrook Drive.  The first call reported heavy smoke coming from the gas station, and subsequent phone calls reported large clouds of either smoke or powder coming from the area of the station.  Less than a week ago, an intoxicated driver crashed into the store section of this same gas station.  That driver was arrested at the scene for operating under the influence of liquor.

Dispatchers Lewis and Walsh dispatched a box alarm assignment for the Wellesley Fire Department.  Due to the proximity of the location to the Natick town line, a Natick Fire engine was also dispatched.  Several members of the Wellesley Police Department were also dispatched to the scene, including Officers Brian Spencer, John Kane, Matt Farwell, and Janet Moura. 

While the units were responding, an employee from the Shell station called and reported that workers, repairing the damage done from the earlier crash, had accidentally activated the gas station's fire suppression system, causing the cloud of smoke.  This fire suppression system consists of a flame retardant powder, and is designed to automatically discharge in the event of a fire at the gas pumps.  This significantly reduces the chances of a fire spreading and will hopefully prevent an explosion.

When the system discharges, it covers everything with a thick, white substance in seconds, which looks like a powdery snow.   A similar discharge of a fire suppression system at a gas station occurred in Wellesley Hills a few years ago during the evening rush hour.  Officer Tim Barros, who was in the area when that discharge occurred, described it as a huge spectacular mushroom cloud of white smoke that covered the Hills area.

Wellesley Fire and Police determined that no one was injured, although the Wellesley Board of Health was contacted as the powder also got into the store.  Some customer's cars were covered in the powder, but there was no permanent damage.  Cleanup began immediately by Shell employees.