WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said about 5600 gallons of gasoline spilled into a Washington County creek on Sunday afternoon.
The spill happened near the corner of Route 519 and Route 136 in Somerset Township.
Officials called it “a very significant pollution” that had already killed 1000 fish by Monday afternoon along Little Chartiers Creek.
DEVELOPING: An estimated 5600 gallons of gasoline spilled into a Washington County creek— at the corner of Rt 519 & Rt 136.
— Cara Sapida (@WPXICara) December 1, 2021
PA Fish & Boat officials told me more than 1000 fish have been killed. Neighbors say the smell is making them extremely sick. pic.twitter.com/ZpuchOXrby
The source of the gas was an underground storage container at a nearby Kwik Fill gas station. Company officials said they were working with local and state agencies to clean up the spill.
People living in the area reached out to Channel 11 and said they have been extremely sick from the intense fumes.
“We had a hard time walking, extremely dizzy, fatigued. Our noses and throats were burning,” said Kimberly Hatfield.
Investigators with PFBC said they were also going to keep an eye on nearby Canonsburg Lake. They said they’re worried the gas will make its way into the popular fishing spot and could kill trout just stocked in October.
TRENDING NOW:
©2021 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
