Gasoline leak results in street closings

Van Wert independent/submitted information

Gasoline leaking into Town Creek has resulted in a portion of East Main Street being blocked off Sunday afternoon.

A report was made Sunday of a chemical smell in the area of Washington Street and Central Avenue. The smell was later identified as coming from Town Creek and a visible petroleum slick was seen on the water.

The Van Wert Police Department, Van Wert Fire Department, Van Wert City Street, Sewer, and Water departments, and the Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency then launched an investigation, with the source of the leak apparently coming from the Short Stop service station in the 700 block of East Main Street.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has been notified and is en route to the area.

Currently, Central Avenue is closed from Washington Street east to the intersection with Race Street. East Main Street is also closed from Harrison to Chestnut streets.

Police are asking that all residents stay off the closed streets until barricades have been removed.