(02/06/06) WAYNE ? Crews worked in Passaic County Monday to clean up a fuel spill affecting various communities along the Passaic River.

Employees of Atlantic Response, Inc. have been working around the clock since Sunday afternoon to clean up the river. The spill originated at a Totowa asphalt manufacturing plant owned by a New York company, Tilcon. In a statement released by Tilcon, company officials say they believe the fuel was released intentionally in an act of vandalism.

Despite the mess, Atlantic Response officials say the situation could have been worse. The type of fuel spilled actually evaporates quickly in the environment. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection officials say the spill does not pose any dangers to the area?s drinking water.

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