Acid spill injures two at Gordonville Grill

Members of the Gordonville Fire Protection District clean the patio area of Gordonville Grill Wednesday afternoon, June 17, 2009, where there was an acid spill. Two people were injured. (Kit Doyle) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Two people were injured Wednesday when a one-gallon container of drain cleaner holding concentrated sulfuric acid spilled in the parking lot of the Gordonville Grill restaurant in Gordonville. One person was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center by private vehicle before emergency crews reached the spill, the other was treated at the scene by the Gordonville Fire Protection District and refused hospital transport.

Randy Morris Jr., fire chief of the district, said both were employees of the restaurant and was not sure of the condition of the person taken to the hospital. Morris said the person treated at the scene suffered chemical burns through clothing when the acid splashed from the container. Both Morris and restaurant staff declined to name the injured people.

Morris said the spill occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. when the employees had the container outside a pick-up truck in the lot to the west of the restaurant.

Morris said the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Team responded along with the Gordonville fire district to clean the spill, which ran through the parking lot into a ditch. Crews secured the area by cornering off the lot and locking side doors to the restaurant.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources advised crews to use baking soda on the asphalt and soil in the ditch to neutralize the acid. Crews spent approximately two hours applying the baking soda and sweeping the affected area. The Jackson Fire Department also sent equipment to aid in the clean-up.

Morris said the restaurant would be contacting the Department of Natural Resources for follow-up information on cleaning the spill.

Pertinent address:

829 State Highway Z, Gordonville, Mo.