[cifnmedia] wreck closed 270 for hours
- From: Sean & Kimberly Aaron <cifn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: CIFN LIST <cifnmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 20:41:07 -0700 (PDT)
Trailer wreck closed 270 for hours
By Heather Ratcliffe and Sara Shipley
Of the Post-Dispatch
08/10/2004
A semi-tractor tank truck overturned about 3 a.m. today, blocking both
directions on Interstate 270 near Lilac Avenue in north St. Louis County.
Crews worked through rush hour traffic to clean the ethanol that leaked from
the tank. At about 1:30 p.m., it appeared that all lanes of westbound I-270 had
been reopened except the right lane. Eastbound lanes were open. Visit the
Gateway Guide web site for more traffic information
(http://www.gatewayguide.com).
John Whitaker, an on-scene coordinator for the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources, said about 4,600 gallons of ethanol from the 6,400-gallon tank
spilled. He said some of the fuel ran into Watkins Creek, which empties into
the Mississippi River about a half-mile away.
Whitaker said he saw some dead minnows in the creek. Personnel from the
Missouri Conservation Department were en route to look at the extent of the
wildlife damage.
Ethanol mixes with water, so it was impossible to remove it from the creek.
"It's not highly toxic to the environment," he said. "It will break down fairly
quickly."
Some households were evacuated while emergency crews tried to contain the
highly flammable liquid. Whitaker said he tested air samples with an instrument
that measures flammable vapors. "We didn't get any readings at all, so we feel
it's pretty safe," he said.
"I dont think there will be too much of a lasting impact," Whitaker said.
"Initially there was a pretty high impact, but it's not going to be
persistent."
Sean A. Aaron (CIFN*1)
Central Illinois Fire Network
cifn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.geocities.com/central_illinois_firenet
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