Tanker rollover causes massive fuel spill in Caledon

Emergency crews have contained a massive fuel spill after a fuel tanker rollover in rural Caledon Tuesday morning and said there is no threat to public safety.

The incident happened around 2 a.m. on Highway 9 east of Airport Road in Mono Mills.

Ontario Provincial Police said the tanker truck was heading westbound when the vehicle’s smaller “pup” trailer flipped over.

Authorities initially said nearly 23,000 litres of fuel inside the trailer spilled onto the roadway and into a ditch. An update from the Town of Caledon Tuesday afternoon said the spill was “considerably less than previously reported” but did not provide a specific number.

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Police said there is a potential the fuel may spread to the nearby Humber River.

“It’s also got into the catch basin,” Const. Stephanie Hammond told reporters at the scene on Tuesday. “It’s into a low-lying area where it’s contained in there.”

The cause of the crash is unknown but Hammond said speed does not seem to be a factor. The driver was unharmed and there was no word on possible charges.

A portion of Highway 9 remains closed as crews assess the damage.

The spill occurred near the Glen Haffy Conservation Area which is home to a fish hatchery that raises rainbow trout, according to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Area resident Richard Hanninen told Global News he is concerned about the fuel leaching into the water wells.

“It can seep down into the soil and migrate through the natural spring and it would impact anyone downstream or travel below ground,” Hanninen said.

“All these properties around here are well-fed. What we see here is all feeding down to a spring that washes down past about 10 properties.”

Police said a hazardous materials team is on scene and the Ministry of Environment has been notified.

An environmental contractor was also in the area “to assess the scene and ensure steps are taken to contain the spill and to prevent it from spreading,” according to ministry spokesman Gary Wheeler.

Const. Hammond said the rain Tuesday is also complicating the clean-up operation.

“We have a pumper truck down there to pump out the fuel they can visually see, as well as digging out the ditches to remove the soil,” said Hammond. “This rain is complicating it. The sooner these guys get at it the better.”

Police said the clean-up won’t be complete until at least late Tuesday afternoon.

With files from Cindy Pom and The Canadian Press