Hundreds Of Gallons Of Acid Leaked From Truck Near U.S. Cellular Field
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An acid spill near U.S. Cellular Field has prompted officials to close nearby streets, exits from the Dan Ryan Expressway Wednesday afternoon.
Fire Department crews were sent to 35th Street and Wentworth Avenue around 12:30 p.m., after a tanker truck carrying 3,600 gallons of muriatic acid began leaking its contents, according to Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. The fire department estimates 500 gallons of acid were leaked.
Two contractors were called in, one to pump the acid to another tanker, the other to help with cleanup. Just before 6 p.m. Chicago Fire Media reported the spill on the ground was neutralized.
No injuries were reported, but officials closed Wentworth Avenue and LaSalle Street between 33rd Street and Pershing Road Wednesday afternoon. The 35th Street bridge over the Dan Ryan Expressway also was closed, as were the 35th Street and Pershing Road entrance and exit ramps.
CTA Red Line trains were bypassing the 35th/Sox station, but around 2:20 p.m. service resumed at the station. Passengers must use the 33rd Street entrance as the 35th Street entrance remains closed.
Metra had closed the nearby 35th Street/"Lou" Jones station, but service on the Rock Island line have resumed stopping at the 35th Street station.
The street closures did not appear to be preventing fans from getting into U.S. Cellular Field for Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers.
Fans leaving the game were directed to access the Dan Ryan from 31st and 33rd Streets to the north of the ballpark and 39th Street/Pershing to the south.
The Fire Department used a mobile ventilation unit to keep fumes away from the ballpark.
