By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Clayton County police say a College Park man running a wrecker service out of his home illegally stored 500 gallons of diesel fuel in his garage — enough to blow up 14 houses if ignited.
Hazardous materials crews on Tuesday seized two 250-gallon tanks of fuel from Wayne Richards’ garage.
“It could have been a nightmare situation,” Clayton County fire Chief Alex Cohilas said. “I can’t imagine someone placing themselves, their family, and their neighbors at such a risk.”
Investigators say Richards was running an unlicensed wrecker service, Richards and Sons Towing, from his home on Pine Shoals Drive. Each morning, Richards’ trucks backed into his residential garage and filled their tanks. Officers conducted surveillance and spotted two tow trucks pull up to the house. Both drivers were smoking cigarettes, assistant police Chief Gregory Porter said.
“If there was a leak and one dropped that cigarette, it would have been a travesty,” Porter said. “At a minimum, he would have took out 14 houses.”
Richards, 39, was charged with reckless conduct, operating a business without a license and multiple environmental charges. He was released on a summons instead of taken to jail, so he could help crews clean up the fuel, Porter said.
Richards was approached at his home Tuesday afternoon but slammed the door without commenting.
Neighbors say they’ve complained for at least a year about truck congestion in the small subdivision, gas stains on the road and fuel running down the driveway. Residents complained to Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, who sent police.
“We all could have been blown to bits,” said former school board chairwoman Ericka Davis, who lives across the street. “Not only am I concerned about the fire hazard, but what about emissions in the air and the possibility of this getting in our water?”
In addition to the danger at the house, Richards was using the wrong type of diesel in his tow trucks, which are in violation of state emissions laws, Porter said. Police are investigating the origin of the fuel and anticipate additional charges.
Copyright 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution