Today, Jan. 23 at 9:32 a.m., Apparatus Engine One of the Auburn Fire Department discovered a spilled bucket of an unknown, corrosive substance on East University Drive, according to Police Chief Lee Lamar.
The spill consisted of a hydrochloric acid called Sure Clean 600.
Matthew Jordan, Battalion Chief C-Shift of the AFD, contacted the manufacturer who instructed them on proper clean up.
The substance began leaking into a storm drain, but the AFD quickly mitigated the spread by using a neutralizing substance, known as lime, provided by the Auburn Water Board.
The AFD blocked off the area and promptly blocked the storm drain with sandbags. The Water Board also provided an industrial vacuum to ensure all the acid was properly cleaned and disposed.
The AFD also sent a firefighter into the storm drain, which Lamar said includes its own set of problems, such as oxygen deficiencies and poisonous gasses.
The AFD completed the cleaning at 1:22 p.m.
"There are no continuing threats," Lamar said.
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