Press Release Regarding Spill at Intersection of Union Blvd and Paul Ave.

For Immediate Release, November 17, 2022                                                         
 
Warren Achey
Fire Chief
Bethlehem Fire Department
610-865-7140
 
Press release for the intersection of Paul Avenue and Union Blvd Spill
 
 
At approximately 0210 hours on November 17, 2022, the City of Bethlehem Fire, Police and EMS departments were dispatched by Northampton County 911 to the area near the intersection of Union Blvd and Paul Avenue for an accident with injuries. On arrival it was determined that a tractor trailer had overturned leaking both gasoline and diesel fuel. The driver was taken to an area hospital and initial units immediately started an evacuation of the neighborhood.
 
An emergency shelter was set up at Nitschmann Middle School for displaced residents at the request of Bethlehem Emergency Management. The Red Cross was requested to provide assistance.
 
The Bethlehem Fire Department HazMat Team with the assistance of the Lehigh County HazMat team are on scene mitigating the spill. The owner of the vehicle has contracted with a hazardous waste company to clean up the scene and runoff. As precaution a containment boom was deployed on the Monocacy Creek in the area of Conestoga Street but it is not believed that any product entered the waterway.
 
Residents can contact the City of Bethlehem Public Safety Center, 610-865-7000, to verify when it is safe to return to their homes.
 
Lehigh County Emergency Management and the Pa Department of Environmental Protection are also on scene providing assistance. No further information is available at this time.