Greenfield Firefighters Tackle Interstate Diesel Spill

Updated 6:45 a.m. June 25

While most were either sound asleep in beds or cursing the thunder for keeping us awake in the early morning hours Saturday, Greenfield firefighters were cleaning up a messy and dangerous situation on Interstate 894.

Just before 3:30 a.m., while heavy thunderstorms passed through the area, a semitrailer jackknifed on the interstate, slammed into the wall on the southbound ramp heading eastbound in the Hale Interchange, and leaked diesel fuel, according to Greenfield Fire Chief Jon Cohn.

The right lane of the ramp will be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for repairs.

Upon arriving at the scene Saturday, Greenfield firefighters quickly spread oil absorbent material to prevent the flow of diesel from reaching the storm sewer. Milwaukee and Greenfield firefighters emptied the remaining fuel into two 55-gallon drums.

Once the semi was removed from the interstate, the oil absorbent materials were collected in large hazardous material bags, and the ramp was scrubbed clean by a Milwaukee County street sweeper and then rinsed.

It took nearly 3 ½ hours to clear the scene, but the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s department kept the ramp close longer until the barrier wall could be temporarily repaired.

There were no injuries; the driver was evaluated but refused treatment.