Johns Hopkins Hospital Faces Scrutiny After 5,000-Gallon Diesel Fuel Spill
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Updated: 6:23 PM EDT Aug 15, 2025
State documents reveal a concerning timeline of events leading to a significant diesel fuel spill at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, prompting 31 mandated safety improvements and an ongoing investigation. The spill, which released approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the waters of Harbor East, exposed critical gaps in the hospital’s fuel management protocols and raised questions about oversight and emergency preparedness.
Timeline of the Incident
The incident began on the morning of August 15, 2025, when a Johns Hopkins Hospital employee reported a fuel odor around 9:00 a.m. Baltimore City Fire Department responded to the scene but initially found no evidence of a problem. However, just thirty minutes later, at 9:30 a.m., fuel was observed flowing from an overfilled tank.
Shortly thereafter, at 9:35 a.m., hospital staff discovered that the automatic tank gauge system was failing to accurately register fuel levels in either tank. An alarm light activated at 10:00 a.m., but crucially, there was no accompanying audible alert, and the tank level display was blank. Investigators later determined the overflow alarm was functioning correctly, but the lack of comprehensive alerts hindered a swift response.
Containment efforts began at 10:30 a.m. as the scale of the spill became apparent. According to reports, the hospital had requested Shipley Energy Transport, LLC deliver 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel to each of two tanks, each with a 20,000-gallon capacity. A key factor contributing to the incident was the obstructed view of the tanks from the remote fill location.
Safety Concerns and Regulatory Response
Documents obtained by 11 News Investigates highlight several pre-existing safety concerns. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) reports indicated the fuel tanks lacked spill catch basins, a critical preventative measure. Furthermore, a hospital report revealed they did not have a tank gauge stick on site to independently verify fuel readings.
Inspectors also expressed concern over the unavailability of security camera footage from the tank fill area, as well as missing monthly release detection records and inventory paperwork. “The lack of documentation raises serious questions about the hospital’s adherence to established safety protocols,” stated a senior official familiar with the investigation.
As a result of the spill, the MDE issued 31 directives to Johns Hopkins Hospital. These include the installation of permanent monitoring wells and indoor vapor sampling meters to assess potential environmental and health impacts. The hospital is now required to obtain MDE approval before each fuel delivery, and each delivery must be continuously monitored by staff with constant communication maintained between personnel and the fuel delivery driver.
Ongoing Compliance and Unanswered Questions
As of August 15, 2025, MDE documents indicate that 13 of the 31 mandated directives remain incomplete. The hospital has not publicly disclosed a timeline for full compliance.
Adding to the complexity, Shipley Energy Transport, LLC has not yet responded to inquiries from 11 News Investigates regarding their role in the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities seeking to determine the full extent of the environmental damage and prevent future occurrences.
