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Portion of Lexington-Springmill Road closed after commercial fuel spill

  • Published
  • By Tim Busbey
  • Richland Source
A portion of Lexington-Springmill Road will be closed for most of Wednesday after a fuel tanker was involved in an accident and leaked gasoline along the side of the road.

The accident took place approximately one-fourth of a mile south of Marion Avenue. Lexington-Springmill Road was closed between Cook Road and Marion Avenue.

According to a report from the Mansfield post of the State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 4:39 a.m. Wednesday and involved a 1994 Peterbilt semi hauling a box trailer full of fertilizer and a 2012 Freightliner semi hauling a tank trailer full of gasoline. Both vehicles were northbound on Lexington-Springmill Road. The Peterbilt stopped in the traffic lane due to the steep grade of the hill. The Freightliner attempted to drive around and the Peterbilt rolled backward and struck the tank trailer of the Freightliner.

According to Rich Evans, deputy director of the Emergency Management Agency for Richland County, the tanker was carrying 8,000 gallons. According to the Highway Patrol, about 222 gallons spilled from the tanker. Emergency personnel were able to patch the leak before the entire contents of the tanker spilled. Evans said no fertilizer leaked from the other truck.

Usher Transport sent another tanker to off-load the remaining fuel.

Evans said foam from the 179th Airlift Wing Foam Supply Unit and absorbent material was used to contain the spill. Three homes were evacuated after the accident. According to Evans, the residents had places to go so a shelter was not needed.

Springfield Township, Troy Township, Washington Township and Mansfield City Fire Department personnel were at the scene, along with members of the 179th Air Guard Fire Department. The Ohio EPA office, the Richland County Highway Department, Ontario and Lexington police and K & D of Ohio Inc. also were present at the scene.

The Richland County Red Cross was on the scene to offer assistance, as well.

Evans said the road was likely to be closed for most of the day as cleanup efforts continued.

For the WMFD video story http://goo.gl/QQkOxQ




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