Haz-mat response south of Ballard Bridge

Updated: Cleanup is underway after a morning diesel spill in Interbay today. BNSF Railway has hired an environmental cleanup contractor to remove the the fuel that is contained within the drainage facilities at the Interbay rail yard. Ecology, the Coast Guard and Seattle Public Utilities are overseeing the cleanup.

Although none of the oil has reached surface water, cleanup and containment materials are in place in Smith Cove. Some of the water has entered the public sewer system, which flows to the King County West Point Treatment Plant. “Plant operators are diverting oil from incoming flows for temporary storage and disposal. They also are taking precautions to ensure uninterrupted treatment of normal waste water,” states a press release.

Earlier: More than a dozen Seattle Fire units responded to the scene of a haz-mat spill just south of the Ballard Bridge this morning. The call came in just after 8 a.m.

Kyle Moore with Seattle Fire says that a locomotive with no cars attached derailed and spilled 2000 gallons of diesel. The locomotive is currently upright and the fuel is contained to the drainage ditch. Seattle Fire has contacted the EPA.

Thanks to MagnoliaVoice reporter Steve Smalley for photos.