GRANGER TOWNSHIP, Ohio - A tanker carrying 8,500 gallons of ethanol overturned early Wednesday on Interstate 271 in Medina County.

The incident forced a full closure of the highway between Ohio 94 and Brecksville Road, officials said.

The tanker flipped in the northbound lanes around 4 a.m., spilling the majority of its ethanol cargo, according to Granger Township Fire Chief Steve Camp. Cleanup efforts are expected to take at least eight to 10 hours.

The highway reopened at about 3 p.m., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Paramedics transported the driver to a local hospital for evaluation. No other injuries were reported.

HAZMAT teams are working to contain the spill, and authorities said residents do not need to evacuate as the incident is not considered an immediate threa

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