Car Hits Storage Tank, Causes HazMat Leak In Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL — A car crashed through a fence and hit a storage tank on Chinaberry Lane Wednesday evening, causing large amounts of pool chemicals to spill and create a harmful gas when they mixed.

Firefighters got to the scene in the 4500 block of Chinaberry Lane just after 7 p.m. to find that a 1000-gallon tank storing sodium hypochlorite and an 80-gallon tank of muriatic acid had burst when the car hit them. Officials say a noxious gas was created when the spilled chemicals mixed, which prompted 40 firefighters and HazMat crew members to be called in.

The tank leaks were mitigated through damming and diking techniques, a news release said. Vacuum trucks were used to draw contaminated water from nearby storm drains as crews used special booms to stop chemicals from flowing into a pond on the property.

Storm drains were later tested for contamination to ensure safety and the final cleanup was facilitated by a private, third-party contractor that handles HazMat spills.

One person was hurt in the crash and taken to Edward Hospital, where they are currently in stable condition.