MT VERNON, Ky. (WKYT) - A chemical leak at a water plant led to a road closure but no major evacuations. Officials say the leak was quickly contained, but leaks like this can be tragic.
It happened at the water plant in Mt. Vernon. Chlorine leaked from a valve that would not shut off.
It was a potentially deadly, if not extremely dangerous, situation that unfolded after 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Concentrated 100% chlorine will kill you pretty much instantly,” said Steve Woods, the chief of the Somerset Pulaski Special Response Team, which was called in to oversee the containment.
The concern had first responders and highway crews shutting down busy U.S. Highway 25 until an air quality check could be made.
“They shut down that road in that direction because of the weather. We use weather