500 gallons of cooking oil spill by US-321 near Gaston County

Jesse Ullmann
·1 min read
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HIGH SHOALS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Cleanup was underway after an early-morning oil spill, Gaston County Emergency Management and Fire Services said on Monday.

Authorities said the 500-gallon spill started near the Lincoln County-Gaston County line and affected several Gaston roads. Reportedly, the oil traveled down Hardin Road onto U.S. 321 for several miles.

The substance congealed into a lard-like substance and pooled near U.S. 321 and North Chester Street in Gastonia.

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Emergency personnel and cleanup companies started work on the scene around 3:30 a.m., covering affected intersections with sand.

“This type of cleanup isn’t like a diesel fuel where it will eventually evaporate,” Gaston County Emergency Management and Fire Services Director Scott Hunter Sr. said. “We’re asking residents using this road to be aware that the road will be slick and any rapid acceleration or deceleration may result in a vehicle fishtailing.”

North Gaston Fire, Dallas Fire, Gastonia Fire, N.C. Department of Transportation, and Gaston County PD were among the departments that responded to the incident.

No timetable was given for the cleanup.

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