FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2000

CARY, NC – A suspicious spill in Cary’s Lochmere subdivision this evening that kept roads blocked and citizens indoors for about two hours turned out to be a common cleaning product.

At about 7:15 PM, the Town of Cary’s Fire and Police departments responded to a 9-1-1 report of a 1-3 gallon liquid spill that seemed to be emitting a fog on Lochmere Drive near Summerwinds. Fire officials went door-to-door advising residents to stay inside until they were told that the situation had been resolved. Raleigh’s Hazardous Materials Unit arrived on the scene at about 7:45 PM, tested the substance, and determined that it was muratic acid—commonly used to clean driveways and available at many local retail stores. The spill was easily neutralized and removed from the area by Cary Fire. No one was injured and no environmental damage has been detected. The scene was cleared around 10:00 PM.

Cary Fire, Cary Police, and Raleigh Hazmat, Cary EMS and the Wake County Fire Marshall’s office were also on the scene.

###