By Albert Amateau

New York University, owner of the Washington Square Village residential complex, and Cushman & Wakefield, managers of the four buildings on the superblock between Bleecker and W. Third Sts., are investigating the heating oil spill from a 6,000-gallon tank on Sun., Dec. 27.

The oil, stored as part of a backup system for heating and hot water, leaked from a residual fuel tank at 4 Washington Square Village at Bleecker St. and LaGuardia Place. The leak’s cause and the exact time it began remained undetermined on Tuesday.

“We are determined to figure out what caused the spill and resolve it,” said John Beckman, N.Y.U. spokesperson.

No one was evacuated from the complex and no one reported any interruption in heat or hot water. But many residents complained about fumes from the spill. Three trucks from Miller Environmental Group spent several hours pumping out the residual fuel tank and left the scene at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

“The spill has affected the area between No. 4 and No. 3 Washington Square Village,” said Barbara Backer, a resident who said she was concerned about the effect of the spill on the area’s infrastructure, including the water supply. “We don’t really know what has happened to the oil that spilled,” she said.

By Tuesday the area in front of the buildings facing Bleecker St. had been roped off and a large tree had been removed. Signs posted by Cushman & Wakefield said that excavation in the area of the leak would begin soon.