A recent fire at the AccuTec factory in Verona resulted in oily water washing into the Middle River, which the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
According to a report filed with the DEQ, around 12:30 or 1 a.m. on Monday there was a fire in the grinder operation area at AccuTec, which produces razors and other blades. There were no reported injuries, although two people did go to the hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation. The fire was caused by a spark in one of the facility's filtration units.
The DEQ's communications office told WMRA that firefighting activities caused oily water to enter a drainage area, which led to a visible sheen downstream in the Middle River. The company has hired a contractor to contain the contamination using oil booms – a type of floating barrier which will 'fence in' the petroleum product. The DEQ continues to monitor the site, and says that currently there are no indications of negative impact on aquatic life. The sheen is [quote] "so light, it will eventually volatilize and dissipate in the river."
