Sulfuric acid spill injures two at Gordonville Grill

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. One person was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center by private vehicle before emergency crews reached the spill, treated and released. The other injured person was treated at the scene by the Gordonville Fire Protection District and refused hospital transport.

Randy Morris Jr., the district's fire chief, 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.

Morris said the spill occurred about 11:30 a.m. when the employees had the container outside a pickup truck in the lot to the west of the restaurant. An employee dropped the gallon container, causing the chemicals inside to splash.

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 about two hours applying the baking soda and sweeping the affected area. The Jackson Fire Department also sent equipment to aid in the cleanup.

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