A Massachusetts family’s Thanksgiving turned into a disaster after a fuel delivery company accidentally pumped hundreds of gallons of heating oil into their basement.
According to the New York Post, the incident happened when Fawcett Energy, a local energy supplier, mistakenly delivered 385 gallons of heating oil to the wrong address. The delivery was intended for a home on Linwood Street in Malden, but the truck instead went to a house on the same street in Medford.
Homeowner Dan Nguyen said his family had removed their oil tank five years earlier, making the incident all the more alarming.
Family Evacuated After Fumes Fill Home
Nguyen told reporters that his wife and brother-in-law were at home when they noticed a strong odor spreading through the house. Upon investigation, they found a delivery worker pumping oil directly into their basement through an old fill pipe that was no longer connected to a tank. By the time they intervened, approximately 385 gallons of heating oil had already poured into the home, flooding the basement and releasing toxic fumes throughout the property.
Nguyen’s family was immediately evacuated as emergency crews responded to the hazardous spill. The house has since been declared unsafe for occupancy due to contamination.
Thanksgiving Celebration Canceled Amid Cleanup Efforts
The Nguyens had been preparing to host 20 guests for Thanksgiving, but the unexpected disaster forced them to cancel their plans and find another place to stay. Nguyen said his family will now stay with relatives as they work with local authorities and cleanup crews to remove the oil and repair their home.
The American Red Cross is assisting the family during their displacement, providing temporary housing support and emergency supplies.
