A kerosene leak from DeKalb’s sewer system seeped into the Kishwaukee River but did not contaminate it late Thursday afternoon.

DeKalb firefighters tried to dam the site of the actual leak into the river, but because officials were unaware of the leak’s source at the time, could not stop the kerosene from streaming into the river.

“If it goes into the water, there could be a fish kill, it could contaminate the river and the storm drain system,” said DeKalb Fire Department Capt. Warren Lubbers at the scene.

The kerosene made its way into the sewer system at 214 Sycamore Road, Lubbers said. Someone apparently dumped the kerosene in the road, he said.

Officials estimate about 6 gallons seeped into the river. Because kerosene spreads easily in water, Lubbers said the leak looked worse than it was, adding kerosene from an eye dropper might have produced the same appearance.

The kerosene was leaking into the river under the First Street bridge.

Drinking water was not at risk because the leak was in the sewer system and not the sanitary system, Lubbers said.

Firefighters thought at the scene they would be able to limit their inspection area between the bridge and Clinton-Rosette Middle School, 650 N. First St., where the sewer line is capped, Lubbers said.

Once the source was located, firefighters put absorbent “booms”—large sock-like materials—into the river, opened the drain and let the water flow, Lubbers said.

Firefighters then skimmed the kerosene off the surface and flushed it down with water to prevent any contamination, Lubbers said.