Hazmat crews respond to railcar leaking hydrochloric acid in southwest Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hazmat crews responded to a railcar chemical spill Wednesday morning in southwest Charlotte.

The spill happened around 10 a.m. on Fruehauf Drive off Westinghouse Boulevard.

Officials said the railcar was leaking hydrochloric acid. It’s unclear what railroad company the car belongs to.

Hazardous Condition; 11700 block of Fruehauf Dr; chemical spill coming from a railcar; evacuation of facility in progress; hazmat teams on scene; no injuries reported pic.twitter.com/hnQ0kHFeUm
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) April 29, 2020

According to the Charlotte Fire Department, it took 23 firefighters a little over an hour to stop the leak.

At one point, crews asked nearby businesses to shelter in place because of the wind.

Update on Hazardous Condition; 11700 block of Fruehauf Dr; CFD responded to a railcar leaking hydrochloric acid; @StormWaterCM is on scene evaluating; @MecklenburgEMS monitoring firefighters & @CMPD assisting with traffic control. pic.twitter.com/HX3dfOK5Y1
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) April 29, 2020

Crews and their hazmat suits are being decontaminated at the scene, which the fire department said is standard procedure after responding to hazmat situations.

Firefighters are also being monitored by Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services.

Update on Hazardous Condition; 11700 block of Fruehauf Dr; 23 firefighters controlled incident in 80 minutes; leak secured; firefighters are being decontaminated on scene and monitored by @MecklenburgEMS; no injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/3BD5Ogsyfm
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) April 29, 2020

No injuries were reported.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is evaluating the scene.

It’s unclear what caused the leak at this point.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.