More than a dozen bottles of a chemical used in swimming pools fell off a truck on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway today, forcing the closure of northbound lanes in San Juan Capistrano and causing a backup all the way to San Diego.
The northbound lanes of the freeway were closed at San Juan Creek Road, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Marc Stone said. The California Highway
Patrol was alerted to the spill at 10:57 a.m., and the fire authority's hazardous materials team responded at 11:09 a.m., Stone said.
Thirteen bottles of muriatic acid, which is commonly used in swimming pools, fell off a truck and some vehicles hit them, Stone said. No one was hurt and neighboring businesses were not affected, Stone said.
"All northbound lanes have been closed for 45 minutes so there's a heck of a back-up,'' Stone said just before 12:30 p.m. "Anyone in the area is requested to use surface streets.''
The hazmat teams neutralized the chemicals, so Caltrans will finish mopping up, Stone said.
The northbound lanes may be reopened by 1 p.m, Stone said, adding that southbound traffic appeared to be "flowing pretty good.''
