Neighbors sue Monroe Energy over major leak of 370,000 gallons of gasoline-The Spirit 7/22/2026
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Monroe Energy LLC and its subsidiary, MIPC LLC, alleging the companies concealed a monthslong gasoline leak at the Chelsea Tank Farm on Cherry Tree Road in Aston that contaminated nearby neighborhoods and exposed residents to hazardous chemicals.
Filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas by the Berger Montague and Locks Law Firm, the suit seeks to represent Pennsylvania residents who owned, rented, or lived within one mile of the Chelsea Tank Farm beginning March 1, 2025. The complaint names Aston residents Brian and Michelle Mielnik as the lead plaintiffs.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for property damage and diminished property values, environmental remediation, medical monitoring, and other relief. There is no specific monetary amount mentioned in the suit. “Our clients have brought this lawsuit on behalf of the families living closest to the Chelsea Tank Farm, whose properties have been damaged by gasoline spreading beneath their homes,” Berger Montague Executive Shareholder Shanon J. Carson said in announcing the lawsuit. He said the case seeks accountability.
According to the complaint, approximately 378,000 gallons of gasoline leaked from Tank 708, which was installed in 1951. The alleged leak occurred between March and early December 2025 through a quarter-inch hole in the tank floor.
The lawsuit alleges Monroe Energy became aware of leaking gasoline on the property in August 2025 but failed to promptly notify regulators, nearby residents, or the public, thus allowing the contamination to spread beneath surrounding homes. During that period, the suit claims, Monroe distributed gift cards to nearby households and characterized the matter as an “undefined issue.”
As of the filing of the complaint, Monroe Energy had not released a statement pertaining to the suit.
The suit accuses Monroe of negligence and attempting to cover up the disaster by claiming the activity at the tank farm was routine maintenance.
The plaintiffs said the substance released contaminated soil, groundwater, private wells, and indoor air with gasoline-related chemicals, including benzene, a known human carcinogen. Also detected in testing were the chemicals ethylbenzene, naphthalene, isopropanol, cyclohexane, and n-hexane.
The suit also claims that 100 groundwater monitoring wells have been installed across the tank farm and adjacent properties, dozens of which have been found to have free floating gasoline product, including wells on residential properties.
Only a fraction of the released gasoline has been recovered; the plume has not been fully delineated, and contamination continues to be found in newly installed wells on nearby properties.
Andrew J. DuPont, of the Locks Law Firm, said residents deserve answers and protection from exposure to benzene and other hazardous chemicals. “Benzene is a known human carcinogen, and no family should have it in the air they breathe or water they drink,” Dupont said. “Together with Berger Montague, our law firms are committed to making sure that these residents get the answers and the medical monitoring they need.”
The complaint asserts claims of negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, public and private nuisance, trespass, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and seeks medical monitoring for residents who may have been exposed to contaminants.
The lawsuit follows enforcement action by state and federal regulators.
In December 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an administrative order requiring Monroe Energy’s MIPC subsidiary to investigate and remediate the release, while the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ordered Tank 708 removed from service and subjected to independent testing. In addition, MIPC was ordered to provide bottled water to nearby residents who are using private wells.
The Chelsea Tank Farm is located near residential neighborhoods in Aston, Upper Chichester, and Bethel townships and stores gasoline in 12 large tanks with a combined capacity of approximately 1.7 million barrels. Cleanup efforts and environmental monitoring remain ongoing as state and federal agencies continue their oversight of the site.
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