Hazardous Material Situation on the Potomac River

Updated 4:10 p.m.

The substance that prompted the hazmat response on the Potomac river was likely "some sort of diesel fuel" or similar substance that flowed into the Potomac from Arlington storm water runoff, according to Sergeant David Schlosser, the public information officer for the United States Park Police.

Schlosser said there are booms up to prevent the product from spreading farther into the river and the booms are being adjusted with the tide.

He was not certain how much of the substance had reached the river, "once it's on the water, it is very hard to make an estimate."

The important thing, said Schlosser, is that there is "a very very small amount of the product" in the river and the "lion's share was stopped" by the booms.

Arlington Fire Department and Department of Environmental Services are trying to identify the source of the substance.

Schlosser said a mitigation company had been called in to cleanup.

--

Original Post

A hazardous material situation on the Potomac River near Roosevelt Island has prompted a response from Arlington County Fire Department.

Both D.C. Fire and EMS and Alexandria Fire Department are assisting in the containment of a reported oil spill. Arlington is taking the lead in the operation, according to D.C. Fire and EMS Spokesperson, Pete Piringer.

Patch will update as more information becomes available.