Chemical Spill Closes Portion of Freeway
- Share via
CASTAIC — A section of the northbound Golden State Freeway near Castaic remained closed late Monday after about 20 bags of a caustic chemical were found on the roadway, authorities said.
A California Highway Patrol officer suffered minor injuries when he burned his hand on one of the 50-pound bags that had apparently fallen from a truck, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokeswoman Charlotte Kramer said.
The officer, who was not identified, was treated by paramedics but not hospitalized, a CHP dispatcher said.
The chemical was identified as calcium hydrate, a highly flammable agent that is used to open blocked-up oil wells.
The 5:40 p.m. incident led officials to close the freeway between Templin Highway and Lake Hughes Road.
A county Fire Department hazardous material team was removing the bags late Monday.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
