9,000 Gallons of Oil Spills Into Passaic River

TOTOWA, N.J. – A ruptured tank spilled more than 9,000 gallons of refined oil into a river Sunday, causing an eight-mile oil slick, authorities said.

At least two water companies temporarily stopped taking water from the Passaic River after the 9 a.m. spill, said Passaic County Sheriff's Department spokesman Bill Maer.

The leak started at a factory in Totowa, about 20 miles west of New York City. Oil was flowing "like a spout" into the water, said sheriff's department Capt. James Hearney.

"A lot of homeowners are smelling it," Hearney said. "It stinks."

Authorities were setting up floating booms in the river to contain the slick, he said. The state Department of Environmental Protection was headed to the scene.