Tanker truck spill on I-95 in Chesterfield impacts Swift Creek
CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) - The tanker truck that overturned on Interstate 95 in Chesterfield early Thursday morning was carrying about 7,500 gallons of gasoline and another 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Chesterfield Fire and EMS reported Thursday afternoon that cleanup crews have recovered about 2,500 gallons of fuel after about 7,700 gallons had spilled.
That leaves an estimated 6,000 gallons of fuel that was spilled into the storm drains leading to Swift Creek, east of I-95, authorities said.
Chesterfield Fire & EMS said there are no immediate health concerns for residential drinking water. However, residents who live near Swift Creek can expect to smell a gasoline odor for several days. Residents may also see an opaque sheen on the waters of Swift Creek.
A preliminary assessment by the Department of Environmental Quality found a few dead fish. Any residents in the area who see dead fish or other wildlife on Swift Creek over the next several days should call the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at 804-674-2400.
Anyone with a chronic respiratory condition should stay inside, Chesterfield Fire and EMS said. Those people may have trouble breathing around the heavy fume odors.
Colonial Heights Fire and EMS, Colonials Heights Emergency Management, Chesterfield Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Chesterfield/Colonials Heights Department of Health, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the State Police are all coordinating efforts in the cleanup from the spill.
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