Chemical Spill Shut Down Route 12 Near Norwich

A mishap on New York State Route 12 in Norwich that shut down the road for hours brings back memories of the really bad Chevy Chase movie,Modern Problems.

Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo says there were no injuries as firefighters cleaned up spilled hydrochloric acid from the road next to the Autozone Store at around 12:30 p.m.

Chief Chawgo says the chemical was "spent" acid from a metal works plant in Utica that was being transported to a hazardous waste facility by a reclamation tanker.

The Chief says the driver didn't realize a top hatch wasn't secure and the 15% strength acid was splashing out the whole way, much like the scene in Modern Problems where Chevy Chase's character is splashed with radioactive material, giving him telekinetic powers.

Like Chevy Chase's car in the movie, a real-life car in Norwich was splashed and Chief Chawgo said the vehicle had to be decontaminated.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Norwich Fire Department responded to the scene.

The Chief says he knows of at least one other fire department along the route had to deal with the same situation.