The Shadow
LEWISBURG, W.Va. (VR) — Emergency crews are working to contain a massive diesel fuel spill after a tractor-trailer accident early Tuesday morning on Interstate 64.
Approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked into the environment, with some reaching local waterways, according to Greenbrier County Sheriff Bart Baker.
At approximately 6 a.m., Greenbrier County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a wreck at mile marker 174 on westbound I-64. Investigators determined that a trailer hauling containers of diesel fuel broke loose from its truck and slid into the median.
The impact caused roughly 18 containers to rupture or overturn, releasing the fuel.
While emergency teams moved quickly to secure the site, Sheriff Baker confirmed that some of the fuel entered storm drains and flowed into Howard’s Creek.
Crews are currently focused on two primary objectives:
Containing the spill within Howard’s Creek.
Preventing the fuel from reaching the Greenbrier River.
A large-scale recovery operation is underway involving several local and state agencies, including:
Fire & EMS: Lewisburg Fire Department, White Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and Fairlea EMS.
State Infrastructure: West Virginia Department of Highways and the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
Environmental & Safety: Greenbrier County Department of Homeland Security and Evergreen Environmental Response Services.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area around mile marker 174 to allow cleanup crews and heavy equipment space to operate.
The Sheriff’s Office has not yet provided a timeline for when the spill will be fully contained or when traffic patterns will return to normal.
