MCPHERSON COUNTY—Businesses and homes in portions of McPherson have been evacuated after a hazardous material leak in the community.
Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, McPherson County 911 received call reporting an overturned semi-truck leaking hazardous fluid, according to Fire Chief Chad Mayberry.
The fluid has been identified as Hydrochloric Acid. The semi-truck was hauling 34,000lb of the fluid. As of noon, officials did not know the quantity spilled.
All residents and businesses in the area have been evacuated and roads near the intersection of Kansas and Old 81. Streets closed for a mile in each direction. The closures include.
- Highway 56 at 8th Avenue
- Kansas Avenue at Hickory
- Old Highway 81 at the 153 Spur from K-61
- Old Highway 81 at First Avenue
The truck driver self-extricated from the semi-truck and was evaluated at the scene by McPherson EMS and refused treatment and transport.
McPherson Fire Department Hazmat Team has made entry to the semi-truck and placed booms around a storm drain to prevent the leaking acid from entering the sewage system. An environmental remediation contractor is en-route to the scene to handle the clean-up and removal of the spilled product. There are no reports of injury.