WINNEMUCCA — Trial delays are inevitable.  While there was a small delay in the trial held this week, it wasn't so additional evidence could be gathered.  Instead, the defendant was pulled out of the courtroom because his vehicle was leaking fuel and causing a hazardous situation in the parking lot of the Humboldt County Courthouse.

This was no minor leak. By the time it was discovered the fuel had pooled and was starting to flow towards the storm drains.  Humboldt County does not have a run-off treatment facility, which means anything that drips into the storm drains eventually pours into the Humboldt River.  Further, the pool of fuel represented a hazard to anyone who might be careless with a lit cigarette.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene while officers from the Winnemucca Police Department went looking for the car's owner.  Once located, the owner drove the car away.

City employee Ken Howard (shown) shoveled dirt over the fuel.  EPA regulations prevent firefighters from using water to wash the fuel into the storm drains.