Associated Press Published

Chemical Spill Closes Part of Main Street in Weirton Friday

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A section of Weirton’s Main Street is open again after a chemical spill from a steel plant closed it for most of Friday.

Media reports say the Fire Department reopened Main Street late Friday afternoon after the spill from the ArcelorMittal Steel plant.

According to Fire Chief Jerry Shumate, 200 to 400 gallons of hydrochloric acid leaked from a broken pipe at the mill.

Shumate says no workers or residents were treated for exposure.

No residents were evacuated and the chief says crews worked swiftly to contain the spill.

Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive. It has many industrial uses, including the removal of iron oxide from steel before processing.