Fuel spill in Colcord apparently deliberate

<br>COLCORD, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities in northeast Oklahoma are investigating after more than 2,500 gallons of fuel was apparently spilled deliberately at a Colcord convenience store. <br><br>Convenience

Wednesday, April 10th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

COLCORD, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities in northeast Oklahoma are investigating after more than 2,500 gallons of fuel was apparently spilled deliberately at a Colcord convenience store.

Convenience store owner Leon Battiest said he discovered the spill about 5:15 a.m. Tuesday. Emergency personnel and law enforcement blocked off the area along Oklahoma 116 before 6 a.m., fearing a spark could cause an explosion.

A hazardous materials team from Tulsa has begun removing soil in a quarter-acre area around the store's three above-ground fuel tanks, which store more than 30,000 gallons, officials said.

Leon's wife, Carol Battiest, said cleaning-up could cost $5,000, plus lost sales.

Delaware County Deputy Willie Battiest, the couple's son, said he found footprints and broken glass at the scene. He said the glass had something red on it, possibly human blood.