Fuel spill shuts down part of Hwy 9 closed in Orangeville

A "significant" fuel spill has a section of Hwy 9 closed east of Orangeville this morning.

Ontario Provincial Police responded to a call around 2:26am that a truck carrying gasoline had rolled at Hwy and Airport road.

OPP Const. Stephanie Hammond told reporters that it was a "significant fuel spill". At least 23,000 litres of gas had been dumped on the roadway, with some having leaked into the ditches and catch basins.

The Ministry of the Environment and Hazmat teams were on scene early Tuesday to oversee the cleanup.

“We have a pumper truck that is down there presently obviously to pump out what fuel they can visibly see as well as digging out the ditches to remove the soil that’s got the fuel in it as well,” says Const. Hammond.

Highway 9 is currently closed between Airport Road and Mono-Adjala Townline.

Police expect the clean up operation to take several hours, with the road not expected to reopen until late Tuesday afternoon at the earliest. Since the collision site is in a low lying area, damage to the environment is expected to be contained.

No injuries were reported following the incident. Police are investigating the causing of the collision, but speed does not appear to be a factor.

Hwy 9 is currently closed between Airport Road and Mono-Adjala Townline due to a "significant" fuel spill