Tanker truck leaks oil on road

Improperly secured hatch blamed for releasing fluid on evening of July 12

A tanker truck leaked automotive gear oil onto several Painesville city streets on the evening of July 12, prompting clean-up efforts by a hazardous materials team.

At about 5:30 p.m. Painesville Fire Department received a report of a tanker truck leaking fluid at Richmond and Chester streets, according to a Painesville news release.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the tanker truck was leaking automotive gear oil from an improperly secured top side hatch, the release stated.

The truck had been traveling through the city after leaving the Lubrizol Corp. plant in Painesville Township. During its journey, the truck leaked fluid along Lexington and Stage avenues and Richmond Street before being stopped about 1 ½ miles from the plant.

The tanker truck was detained and the driver contacted a haz-mat team immediately for cleanup. The fluid was not toxic and presented no hazard to human health or the environment, the release stated. The material did contain mercaptans, a highly odorous sulfur-containing compound.

Employees from Lubrizol responded immediately and began cleanup efforts prior to the hazmat team arrival. Crews worked throughout the night to mitigate the odor.

During the cleanup, the primary concern was reduced traction of motor vehicles that might have driven through the oil on the roadway. According to the release, any person or vehicle that came into contact with the fluid should be able to remove it by using soap and water.

There were no injuries reported in connection with the incident.