OAKLAND, Calif. -- A Wednesday construction accident caused about five gallons of a petroleum-based fluid to run off into Lake Merritt, but isn't expected to lead to any health or public safety problems, according to Oakland Fire Department spokesman Lt. David Brue.

Brue said the incident began shortly before 11 a.m., when a crew was digging in the ground next to a large apartment complex at 1918 Lakeshore Ave. near Hanover Avenue to try to fix a water leak.

He said the crew found an old heating tank that formerly was used to store fuel to heat the building, which also is aged.

Brue said that when the crew removed the tank from the ground, they discovered that it was corroded and the petroleum-based fluid inside began to seep out.

He said a total of 30-60 gallons of the fluid leaked out, but most of it went into a catch basin at the corner of Lakeshore and Hanover.

However, about five gallons spilled into a storm drain that led across the street and into Lake Merritt, according to Brue.

He said the fire department's hazardous materials team put out absorbent buoys and spent about five hours absorbing as much of the fluid as possible.

Brue said a private contractor hired by the city is still in the process of cleaning out the catch basin but is expected to wrap up its work soon.

He said the accident was reported to the state Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Alameda County District Attorney's environmental hazard team.

After an investigation is completed, the District Attorney's office will determine whether anyone should be held responsible for the spill and billed for the cleanup, Brue said.