Diesel fumes awaken trailer residents

A minor diesel spill at Prairie Farms, 325 N. Spring St. in Cape Girardeau, made breathing difficult for some residents of a neighboring trailer court Friday afternoon.

Fire marshal Mike Morgan said that the spill was a small one -- between five and 15 gallons -- and did not require any reporting to the Department of Natural Resources. For a report to be made, he said, a spill must be 50 gallons or more.

Morgan checked the area later in the afternoon and said Prairie Farms had neutralized the fuel with an enzyme and removed the contaminated dirt.

Two residents of the neighboring trailer court said they were awakened early Friday morning by the fumes.

"I just had a heart attack and have been in the hospital," said Maxine Morten. "We should not be breathing these diesel fumes."

Anna Hawks said two elderly residents went to stay with family members until the fumes dissipated.

Howard Ward, general manager of Prairie Farms, said the company would move the diesel tank away from the trailer park by Tuesday.