South Metro Fire Rescue firefighters cleaned up a diesel fuel spill in Littleton on Friday morning after a truck crashed, they then gave a soapy bath to a couple of lucky ducks.
The rollover crash of the fuel tanker happened on the westbound C-470 off ramp to South Santa Fe Drive,, according to a 7:45 a.m. Twitter post by SMFR. No injuries were reported.
Update: Environmental clean up personnel located 2 ducks downstream that were covered in diesel fuel. Firefighters and Troopers washed them using soap and water. Wildlife officials are being called to assist.
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO)
The tanker, which rolled on a wet and slick roadway, was carrying 4,000 gallons of fuel. Firefighters contained and cleaned up spillage. They then drilled a hole in the tanker to safely drain the fuel into an empty standby tanker.
Firefighters and a Colorado State Patrol trooper scooped up two ducks nearby that were covered in diesel fuel, giving the pair a cleansing, soapy bath. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said on Friday that the two ducks would go through a rehabilitation visit before being released back into the wild.
The off ramp was shut down for more than four hours by the truck crash as traffic was rerouted.
