About 5,000 gallons of diesel spill from Meridian company

Published 3:01 pm Thursday, February 14, 2019

(AP) — About 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel have spilled from a Mississippi railroad yard, with some of the material getting into a nearby creek.

The Meridian Star reported the leak occurred at the Norfolk Southern rail yard in Meridian before 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The railroad company and Lauderdale emergency management officials said some fuel went down a drain and into Sowashee Creek. John Williamson with the agency said cleanup efforts have focused on the creek to make sure the fuel doesn’t go farther downstream.

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Booms are being used to contain the fuel. Williamston said it could take several days to clean the area.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.

Norfolk Southern spokeswoman Susan Terpay said there have been no noticeable effects a mile from the railyard.