Update 8:40 p.m.:
The United States Postal Service has released a statement after mercury was spilled inside a mail delivery vehicle Thursday.
“The Postal Service’s first priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of its customers and employees,” postal service spokeswoman Freda Sauter said. “Along with James City County emergency authorities, we are handling a mercury spill found inside a postal vehicle. In an abundance of caution, the mail inside the vehicle will not be delivered until professional environmental contractors can evaluate, clean and certify the safety of the mail. We will share additional information with the public as it becomes available.”
Update 7:20 p.m.:
Officials from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management have identified a substance spilled in a U.S. Postal Service vehicle earlier this afternoon as mercury.
There is no threat to the public, and the scene has been secured.
Emergency operations at the scene, which is in the 4600 block of Noland Boulevard, are coming to a close, James City County fire officials said around 7 p.m.
A firefighter from the York County Department of Fire & Life Safety was sent to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after suffering from an “apparent heat-related injury,” officials said.
The area is now open to residents of the Liberty Crossing neighborhood. Investigators are still on scene, and will remain there until the U.S. Postal Service vehicle is removed form the area.
Original story:
An unknown substance spilled in a United States Postal Service vehicle in Lightfoot Thursday afternoon, and emergency personnel aren’t taking any chances.
State and local authorities are on the scene of the reported spill in the 4600 block of Noland Boulevard, according to a James City County news release.
The spill was reported around 2:35 p.m. Officials said the substance had leaked out of a container.
Residents of Liberty Crossing townhomes have limited access to their residences, but authorities are making efforts to allow them to enter as the situation permits, the release said.
James City County Fire Department Battalion Chief Al Catlett said about 20 or so town homes are affected but only a few are inaccessible.
The release did not indicate what the substance may be.
“There’s no cause for immediate concern,” Catlett said. “We’re acting with an overabundance of caution.”
Units from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, James City County Fire and Police Departments, York County Fire and Life Safety and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are on the scene.
Catlett said the investigation is ongoing and authorities are working to identify the substance.
This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
