Thursday, December 11, 2014

HAZMAT SPILL CLOSES HIGHWAY REST STOP IN WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS



Hazmat Spill Closes Highway Rest Stop



Posted: Dec 11, 2014 11:32 AM EST Updated: Dec 11, 2014 11:32 AM EST

A hazmat spill caused the closing of a rest stop Wednesday evening.
 At 4:19 p.m. Wednesday evening, the Quanah Fire Department responded to a hazmat spill that occurred on Highway 287 at the southbound safety rest area located about six miles east of Quanah.  Fire officials say Naptha leaked from a box truck.

Approximately 300 gallons of Naptha leaked from a container inside the box truck. 
Naptha is a type of hydrocarbon that is produced through a distillation process. A major source of Naptha is crude oil, which is processed in refineries to break down the chains of hydrocarbons.  Coal tar also can be processed to yield this hydrocarbon, and it can be extracted from wood.  There are many uses for Naptha, including as a solvent in laundry soap or cleaning fluid.

The Vernon Fire Department Regional Hazmat Team and the Wichita Falls Fire Department Regional Hazmat team, as well as other crews, all assisted in the clean up. Officials say took about seven hours to clean up the spill.

The rest stop was opened after the spill was cleaned.