Firefighters, Others Successfully Avert River St. Fuel Spill

Haverhill Police closed a portion of River Street near Comeau Bridge. (Photograph courtesy of a WHAV listener.)

Haverhill Fire Department crews and other responders Monday prevented a potential fuel spill after a fuel truck’s rear wheel sank below the surface at a River Street garage.

Haverhill police temporarily closed a portion of River Street late Monday morning between the Comeau bridge and the scene at River Street Auto Body, 101 River St., where a rear wheel “sank into the ground and tilted the fuel truck,” according to Haverhill Fire Chief William F. Laliberty. He told WHAV Monday afternoon precautions, including a transfer of the fuel load into another truck, “went according to plan.” A tow truck was subsequently used to free the disabled truck.

Workers from the wastewater department also responded to check a sewer pipe which “maybe” was impacted, Laliberty added.

Department of Public Works staff also assisted at the scene with sand in the event a spill had occurred.