HAZMAT Team responds to acid leak at Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works plant
Butler County HAZMAT Team 100 responded to an acid leak Tuesday morning, June 16, at Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works, according to Butler County Emergency Services dispatch.
The leak originated from a process tank and caused a “minor” spill inside the facility, according to Pat Persico, the senior director of corporate communications for Cleveland-Cliffs.
“Cleanup efforts are underway by the company,” she said. “As a precautionary measure, the local fire department was called to the site.”
No reports indicated the spill had run into the nearby Connoquenessing Creek, according to deputy emergency management coordinator Scott Hoffman. He said if runoff had entered the creek, the facility would be responsible for notifying residents and businesses downstream.
The leak was reported at 6:34 a.m. and crews were on the scene at least an hour later. Butler Township Volunteer Fire District also responded.
Production at the plant was not affected, Persico said.
Butler Township’s emergency management coordinator declined to comment and deferred to Cleveland-Cliffs.
