Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union-
Haz-Mat crews cleaned up a chemical spill late last night at the rest stop on U.S. 30W. According to clean-up crews, the load of phosphoric acid in a semi truck shifted, causing several buckets of acid to leak. The acid ate a hole through the side of the truck and out onto the parking area. The driver of the truck noticed the spill when he stopped to sleep. He said he did not know when the load shifted or spilled. The Atwood Fire Department responded to the call and called in Haz-Mat to help clean up. Crews worked from 11:30 p.m. Wednesday until 5:30 a.m. today. According to Larry Baker of Haz-Mat, the crews stopped the buckets from leaking any more acid. They then neutralized the acid inside the truck with soda ash. A clean-up company from Fort Wayne is expected this afternoon to finish the cleanup. Baker said the spill was 2-3 feet wide and 10 feet long. He said it did not appear the spill had spread to the roadway. Warsaw Fire Department also assisted at the scene. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
