Emergency crews are on the scene of a hazardous chemical leak off of Interstate 24 on US 62 West in Lyon County.
Lyon County Emergency Management Manager Dale Hawkes tells the News Edge the fire department was dispatched to the Hucks Travel Center located at 2299 US 62 West in Kuttawa around 8:00 Thursday morning for something leaking out of the back of a tractor-trailer. Upon arrival, Hawkes says they were told it was kerosene leaking from inside the trailer but the placard indicated it might be hydrochloric acid. He adds they are containing a small stream of the chemical leaking out of the back of the trailer and they have set up a 150-foot isolation zone around the semi.
According to Hawkes, members of Kentucky’s Environmental Protection Agency and contracted Hazmat crews from Paducah were called to the scene to clean up the chemical.
Hydrochloric acid is a hazardous liquid the use of personal protective equipment is essential. Accidental exposure can pose serious hazards to your health if there is skin contact, eye contact, ingestion or inhalation of acidic vapors.
Hawkes says there are no injuries reported and the spill is not life-threatening. He adds no roads are closed and the spill is not affecting business at the truck stop.
Reports indicate it could take most of the day to clean up the scene.
